Darlene Koldenhoven is an American Grammy Award-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger, and author.^[1][2] In 2021, her solo piano albums 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 Billboard Chart.^[3] She has performed onstage with such artists as Yanni, David Byrne and Ricky Kej, and provided vocals on albums by Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Celine Dion, and Kenny Loggins, among others.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]} As an actress, she has been featured in Sister Act, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, the Young and the Restless, Malcom in the Middle, and others.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Darlene Koldenhoven was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began singing at 3 years of age and started taking piano lessons at 9 years old. She graduated from Chicago Christian High School and at 19 years of age 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.^[15][16] She taught elementary school music in Chicago for six years then moved to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a career in music.^[17]

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 in, Yanni, Live at the Acropolis.^[4][18] She has also shared the stage with Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and David Byrne, among others.^[19]

As a singing actress, Koldenhoven has been featured in, Sister Act, and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Spy Hard, Malcom in the Middle, and others. 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.^[20][21] She has also been a solo vocalist in films including, Body of Evidence, Internal Affairs, and The Crow.^[22][23][24] As a choir singer she has provided vocals for What About Bob? and others.^[25] Koldenhoven has also contributed vocals to video games, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance^[26][27]

As an author, Koldenhoven wrote Tune Your Voice: Singing and Your Mind's Musical Ear (high voice and low voice versions).^[28][29][30]

Darlene Koldenhoven is living in Los Angeles. She takes care of adopted rescue animals.^[31]

Solo Albums

• 1993 - Keys to the World^[32]
• 1996 - Free to Serve^[33]
• 2000 - Heavenly Peace^[34]
• 2007 - Infinite Voice^[35]
• 2011 - Inspired by a True Story^[36]
• 2011 - Solitary Treasures^[37]
• 2013 - Tranquil Times^[38]
• 2017 - Color Me Home^[39]
• 2018 - Chromatones^[40]
• 2021 - The Grand Piano Spa^[41]
• 2021 - The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy^[42]
• 2022 - Traveling the Blissful Highway^[43]

Other Albums

• 1981 - Clare Fischer - 2+2 - Lead Soprano^[44]
• 1985 - Crystal Gayle - Nobody Wants To Be Alone - Backing Vocals^[45]
• 1984 - Tom Jones - Love is on the Radio - Backing Vocals^[46]
• 1985 - Rod Stewart - Every Beat of My Heart - Backing Vocals^[47]
• 1987 - Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason Backing Vocals^[7]
• 1990 - REO Speedwagon - The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken - Backing Vocals^[48]
• 1991 - Kenny Loggins - Leap of Faith - Backing Vocals^[10]
• 1992 - Ringo Starr - Time Takes Time - Backing Vocals^[49]
• 1992 - Lionel Richie - Back to Front - Backing Vocals^[50]
• 1994 - Yanni - Live at the Acropolis - Lead Vocals^[4]
• 1998 - Celine Dion - These Are Special Times - Backing Vocals^[9]
• 2002 - Neil Young - Living with War - Backing Vocals^[8]