Darlene Koldenhoven
Empower Member
Interests
Music, music therapy, music education, spirituality, cosmology, collecting stones, astronomy, reading, hiking, photography, animals, singing bowls . . .
In the Store
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Bio
GRAMMY® Award winner and 3 time nominee, Darlene Koldenhoven, has a Master’s Degree in Voice, a Bachelor’s in Music Education. She is a vocalist, author, composer, producer, keyboardist, voice/music teacher, sound-healer and certified NLP Practitioner. Darlene was the featured soprano in the PBS-TV & DVD special "Yanni, Live at the Acropolis" seen by over 1.5 billion people worldwide, and was the production vocal coach, real-life choir director, and beloved choir nun in both Sister Act films with Whoopi Goldberg. In addition to her own mesmerizing concerts, her voice has graced a plethora of movies, records, television shows, and live performances ranging from Pink Floyd, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Luis Miguel, and Robin Williams on the Academy Awards 2000, to singing for President Clinton and soloing with the Royal Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestras.
Darlene’s classical crossover Infinite Voice CD, went #1 on the New Age Radio Charts in April 2007, was ranked #2 for the Top 100 Airplay in 2007, and was voted Best Vocal Album 2007 from the Broadcasters’ LifeStyle Music Awards, worldwide. Her Christmas CD, Heavenly Peace, debuted #2 on the same charts in 2000 and when re-released at #4 in 2007, also won the LifeStyle Music Awards’ Best Holiday Album. Her two previous albums are a commissioned work, the inspirational gospel Free to Serve, and her positive pop Keys to the World. "Angel on Ivories" (2/11/11) is her fifth album, consisting of 17 classical songs from 1546-1958 with Darlene accompanying herself on piano. Recently, Darlene is a Finalist in The American Prize for Best Art Song Vocalist 2011 for Angel on Ivories. Darlene's 6th album, "Inspired by a True Story" (6/28/11) is a heartwarming, inspirational collection of her original positive up-tempo & restorative spiritual music. Darlene's 7th album, Solitary Treasures (10/10/11) is classical pop. Recently, her piano instrumental composition "Lucid See" from Solitary Treasures was Nominated in the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best New Age Song.
Darlene is singing and speaking throughout the US and Canada, uplifting audiences everywhere with her Infinite Voice/Heavenly Peace tour and her vocal and/or sound healing workshops. Included in some of her events Darlene sings inspiring songs and tells compelling stories of her work with musicians and spiritual personnel in Sierra Leone, West Africa. This work blossomed into a multi-media concert tour of 7 major cities in the US and Canada titled Free to Serve, where Darlene composed and performed all the music with local choirs – some as large as 900 voices, produced the Free to Serve album, and co-produced/co-directed the event. She has been on the voice faculties of UCLA, CSUN, CSLA, Citrus College and their Japanese Kenshu program. With the addition of her comprehensive book with 7 CDs “Tune Your Voice: Singing and Your Mind’s Musical Ear,” endorsed by everyone from Juilliard to American Idol, and touring with her sound workshops, Darlene has been able to cross 2 major bridges: one, bringing the academic into the esoteric, two, bringing the world into consciousness of the benefits of music, sound and healing. Her articles on The Healing Power of the Voice have been published in the US in “Evolve Magazine” and in Italy’s “New Age and New Sounds Magazine.” Darlene’s has performed and facilitated her Healing Power of the Voice workshops at the Global Sound Conference, Integrated Listening Conference, culture festivals, conferences, churches of multiple faiths, youth rallies, and New Age bookstores nationwide.
As a deeply spiritual woman, Darlene enjoys singing her positive message songs of faith, serenity, humanity, spirit, and love, at services and concerts of spiritual centers and churches nationwide, as much as possible. She is a guest speaker, delivering the message of the day on Connecting Voice With Spirit – engaging the congregants in a rejuvenating sensory connection of music and spirituality. Darlene conducts ‘special event’ workshops on The Healing Power of the Voice and other sound therapy, voice, and music topics including an interactive, outreach, community building, spirituality workshop for all ages and genders, titled The Sister Act, using themes from the feature film. Unity Houston, Christ Church Unity Orlando, Unity Hawaii, Power of Oneness Spiritual Center Chicago, Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. Center Houston, Theosophical Society of America are just a few of the centers who have experienced Darlene’s healing with music workshops and vocal/choral workshops.
At the center of her work is the strong belief that God is the great creator and that music is one of the many expressions of God, to lift us all, higher in consciousness. While recording in the studio or singing live, encoded in Darlene’s music is her belief that we are all vessels of God’s voice and sings by drawing upon this loving intention and communicating this energy, moving the listener far beyond the ordinary states. Darlene’s lifelong passion for the study of sound, vibration, music and effects on energy, mood, spirituality and health began at age nine with her first hand experience in assisting in the therapy and teaching of her deaf baby sister to speak and sing. Darlene was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and resides in Los Angeles-Studio City, California.
“I enjoy motivating people and sharing my gifts with others, whether it be through my music, my singing, or through music education. I’m grateful for the divine gifts I have been given and for the privilege of helping and entertaining others, engaged in something I absolutely love – music. It is my constant desire to write, record, produce and perform music that could uplift and touch all people, bringing us closer, to our center and to each other, through music – simply creating beauty in everyday life.” – Darlene Koldenhoven
Additional Info
What Other People Are Saying About Darlene
“What a delight it was to meet you and a blessing to us all having you sing at our worship services. Your workshop was well attended for a beautiful afternoon in Houston. Very good reports from those who attended. Wishing you continued success and joy in your work.
—Rev. Howard Caesar, Unity Houston
“Darlene exhibits the highest in technique and professionalism. Her choir workshop really enlightens the members to new ways to focus their singing abilities. As a performer, her message is uplifting and her singing is second to none. What a gift to hear her perform!" —Larry Steelman, Band Director for Oakland Center for Spiritual Living
“Darlene Koldenhoven is a rich, beautiful talent. Her voice is angelic and her demeanor is as well. She came to our spiritual center and sang, played the piano and taught a wonderful workshop. I was expecting Darlene to sing from her tracks for the celebration service but she is so talented, I discovered, that she also plays the piano. She did an excellent job at playing the songs that she was introduced to that same hour!
Her workshop contains valuable information. However, the exercises that she took us through helped us to get the concepts in our bones, so to speak. The vocal identification helped us to sing from a powerful place. And it was great fun singing the SISTER ACT songs.
You would give your community a blessing by having Darlene Koldenhoven come to sing and offer a workshop at your center. She is blessed and a blessing!”
—Reverend Celeste A. Frazier, Power of Oneness Spiritual Center, Hyde Park – Chicago, IL
“Darlene Koldenhoven performed at La Crescenta Church of Religious Science on Sunday, June 17th, 2007. She is an amazingly gifted singer, songwriter, and teacher. Her songs and her voice are beyond beautiful, and the congregation responded to her with standing ovations. Working with Darlene was a joy. She is a consummate professional with a wonderful energy and spirit that touches everyone in a special way. We look forward to having her return to our congregation as soon as her busy schedule allows.”
—Karen Mitchell, Director of Music, La Crescenta Center for Spiritual Living
“I have heard glowing reviews of your event with us and am grateful you were here August 3rd, 2008.”
–Rev Bob Deen, Center for Spiritual Living, Paoli, PA • www.rsiphiladelphia.org
“I was such a joy to have you at Christ Church Unity, Orlando. I was so moved and inspired by not only your level of mastery, but by the tremendous degree you give of yourself. I think I can speak for the spiritual community on that. You clearly communicate you consciousness and heart – not only in your performance, but in the assertive and powerful way you conducted the workshops! . . . and please know that we noticed your “OT” on the clock on Sunday. Thank you for your tremendous dedication this weekend.”
–Lisa Firestone, Music Director, Christ Church Unity Orlando
“Please know how much you are appreciated here at CCU! We would love to have you back in the future. I will continue to hold you in God's light and love as you do this work. I see that you are a mighty instrument for God. By the way, I chose that title for the message, "Make me an instrument" after I saw your Yanni video. If I can ever be of service to you, don't hesitate to ask.
–Rev. Alice Anderson, Christ Church Unity, Orlando, FL
“It was a great privilege to have a mini-concert and vocal workshop given by someone of the caliber of Ms. Koldenhoven. The vocal range, control and authority she possesses are remarkable and moving. Everyone in attendance was captivated. Some members of the audience were moved to tears by her singing. Having someone like Ms. Koldenhoven actually demonstrate the healing power of the voice was illuminating. It was an expanding experience, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. It was a marvelous morning and another workshop is avidly anticipated by all who attended.”
—Janet Harper, Owner, Sanctuary Crystals, Alsip
"Solitary Treasures is a masterpiece by one of the most truly remarkable vocal talents I have heard in quite a while . . . It is a rare gift to be able to cover such diverse musical terrain and to do it all so exceedingly well. As the title implies, there is treasure to be found within the tracks of this exceptional recording – and not just in the music, but in the motivation behind it as well..."
–Michael Diamond, Music and Media Focus, 2/2/2012
"Solitary Treasures is an absorbing and exhilarating listening experience that never lets up from beginning to end. . . . Rarely have I been so captivated by a singer throughout an entire album . . . Every song on this CD is a stunner, thanks to Koldenhoven's golden voice, the impeccable musicianship, the high technical quality of the recordings, and the pedigree of many of the tunes. No matter your musical taste, this is really a winner."
–Raj Monaharen, RajReviews, February 26, 2012
" . . . Listening to her for the first time literally brought tears to my eyes. There is a reason her singing has been compared to a voice of angels . . . it was a joy and I really do believe Darlene Koldenhoven may be an angel on earth after all . . . Key Tracks: Nessun Dorma From Turandot, Bella’s Lullaby From Twilight, Remember Me"
–Dana Wright Muzikreviews.com Staff, January 23, 2012
"Sublime. This is singing and artistry of the highest order. There is a purity and an honesty here that is seldom found these days. The technical refinement of Miss Koldenhoven's voice is without question. More importantly, there is an emotional integrity to her performances that is her most distinguishing quality. This album is a must for anyone with ears and a soul." – Jeremy Lubbock, Grammy winning Composer/Arranger, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Sting
“Darlene is an enormously gifted singer who’s striking in a sensual, yet sincere way. She has a . . . wholly magnetic stage presence.” – Music Connection Magazine
"Darlene Koldenhoven ascends to heights heretofore unknown with her celestial vocals on Infinite Voice. Her pure, crystalline voice is the one you hear when the golden sun rises, the silver stars shine and the saddened angels weep. Her intricate blend of classical elements and World genres is mesmerizing as well as a feast for the spirit." – RJ Lannan, New Age Reporter
"She truly does have an outstanding voice. Oftentimes I look for what I call 'the voice of angels' for the channel. Well, I certainly found one in Darlene. She truly is incredible."
–Russ Davis, Program Director, XM Satellite Radio AudioVisions Playlist. Now playing Infinite Voice Tracks 2,3,6,10,11
"Darlene Koldenhoven has a rich, full, and beautiful voice. Her sound blends perfectly with this mix of classical opera, newer music from film scores to Sting, and original music—all beautifully arranged. To
find pure human vocal magic, look no further."
–New Age Retailer Magazine. Emlyn Freeman, "Play List Staff Picks” Holiday Issue 2007
“We know that high frequency sound is alerting and stimulating to the mind. Dr. Tomatis, a French physician and pioneer in psychoacoustics, pointed out that the high frequencies nourish our sense of mysticism, spirituality and the expression of our highest ideals. The beautiful silvery voice of Darlene Koldenhoven as expressed in her album Infinite Voice arouses these sensibilities when listened to carefully and deeply, not just as entertainment. As an example, listen to Song of my Soul; feel uplifted out of the personal self and into contact with your essential nature.”
–Dr. Ron Minson, MD, Board Certified Psychiatrist & Neurologist, Tomatis Practioner & Developer of Dynamic Listening Systems
"This her newest classical crossover album, demonstrates her extraordinary five-octave vocal range and angelic, soul-soaring notes...A sublime, inspirational album."
– Richard Giles, Nexus Magazine, April-May, 2007 worldwide
