Darlene Koldenhoven is an American Grammy Award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger, and author. In 2021, her solo piano album The Grand Piano Spa debuted at #4 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Albums Chart, followed by The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy debuting at #8 on the same chart. She has performed onstage with such artists as Yanni, David Byrne and Ricky Kej; and she has provided vocals on albums by Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Celine Dion, and Kenny Loggins. As an actress, she has been featured in Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, the Young and the Restless, and Malcom in the Middle.

Early life and education

Darlene Koldenhoven was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began singing at age 3 and started taking piano lessons at age 9. She graduated from Chicago Christian High School, and at age 19 performed a solo with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and for the Lyric Opera Guild of Chicago. Koldenhoven received a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a master's degree in Vocal Performance from The Chicago Conservatory College. She taught elementary school music in Chicago for six years, then moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a career in music.

Career

After moving to Los Angeles, Koldenhoven made a name for herself in the music industry in 1982 by earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group as lead soprano with the musical group Clare Fisher's 2+2. In the early 1980s she began singing on albums by artists such as Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Kenny Loggins, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Lionel Richie. In 1987, she won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo, or Group. In 1994, Koldenhoven performed "Aria" as a featured soprano soloist on Yanni, Live at the Acropolis. She has also shared the stage with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and David Byrne. As a singing actress, Koldenhoven has been featured in Sister Act, and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, and Malcom in the Middle. She was a solo vocalist in an on-camera role in the Young and the Restless, performing "The Prayer", and provided the singing voice for Julianne Moore, singing "Why Do I Lie" in the film Cast a Deadly Spell. Koldenhoven has been a solo vocalist in films including Body of Evidence, Internal Affairs, and The Crow. As a choir singer she has provided vocals for What About Bob? and others. Koldenhoven contributed vocals for the video games Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. Koldenhoven wrote the book Tune Your Voice: Singing and Your Mind's Musical Ear (high voice and low voice versions).

Personal life

Koldenhoven lives in Los Angeles, where she takes care of adopted rescue animals.

Discography

Solo albums Other albums

Awards

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