T I M E A R T

Classes Offered by Darlene Koldenhoven

Call 818-980-2840 or click to email Darlene here
Leave your name and email address and phone. You will be put on an email list for the announcement of the next class. Or you may request to speak wtih Darlene or her assistant for class registration.
Groups now forming seasonally
Class meets in TimeArt Studio in Studio City.
Sorry but there are no refunds for missed classes or withdrawals.
Class Size: minimum 7, maximum 15.

Currently Offering in Los Angeles

Kids Singing & Teen Singing

scroll down (see also YoungVocalArtist.com)

Previously Offered

Popular Singing Styles, Techniques, and "Soul"

Beginning Singing and Audiation

Sight Singing and Ear Training I - Basics

Sight Singing and Ear Training II - Intermediate

Marketing Yourself as a Singer/Producing Your Vocal Demo

Studio Basics for Singers, Songwriters, Beginning Producers

Workshops also for church choirs, community choirs, school choirs

Early Music Readiness for Toddlers

Group Singing

(Scroll for Class Descriptions)

About Ms. Koldenhoven

After graduating from Chicago Conservatory College with a Bachelors in Music Education (magna cum laude), Ms. Koldenhoven began teaching elementary music education when she was 20 in the Chicago Suburban School System where she actively participated in the music curriculum committee and taught for 6 years before getting her Masters degree in Voice (magna cum laude) and moved to Los Angeles. She has taught private voice, piano, ear-training/audiation, sight-singing, and theory for about 30 years. Using her special training in music for gifted children as well as music for special-ed children, she has extensively studied and applied the combined methods of Carl Orff, Zotan Kodaly, Dalcroze, and Dr. Edwin E. Gordon and has motivated hundreds of children to understand and enjoy music throughout their lives. Many of her students have gone on to have successful professional lives as musicians, music therapists, television and film stars. She has trained many children and adults who couldn't "carry a tune" at all to enrich their lives with music, giving them "new ears to hear," a "voice to sing with" and a coordinated sense of "rhythm to move with." Darlene's new book with 7 CDs titled Tune Your Voice: Singing and the Mind's Musical Ear is distributed by Alfred Music and is available worldwide in music stores and on her website.

Ms. Koldenhoven is also a Grammy ® Award winner with 3 Grammy nominations and has performed throughout the world in concerts of her own and in notable performances with other artists such as her featured soprano solo in Yanni, Live at the Acropolis and as one of the beloved choir nuns in both Sister Act movies. Here she put her skills as an educator to use once again in her off-camera roll as production vocal coach and real life choir director. She is a former adjunct facutly member of Citrus College, Cal State LA, Cal State Northridge, UCLAx in addition to her private students of all ages and her music classes in her studio. Her fourth album, Infinite Voice, went #1 on the New Age Radio Charts in April 2007 and won Best Vocal Album 2007 in the Broadcasters' LifeStyle Music Awards.

Course: Sing Right for Your Type

1-Day Intensive Experiential Vocal Workshop

Vocal styles & techniques; increase vocal range & breath management; lose that break; expand your musical mind; sing with power; get solid on stage; find your real voice & much, much more...ONLY $99.

Meets on Saturday. Call for further dates & details.

Course: Kid's Singing Class & Teen's Singing Class

This 1 hour class teaches breathing, voice technique, styles of singing and incorporates ear-training, sight-singing and audiation. Each class consists of a 20 minutes of voice exercises, 15 minutes of ear-training and 15 minutes of sight-singing. Time permitting, 5 minutes of solo performance where students take turns coming up to sing a song of their choosing for the class for feedback and support. Call 818-980-2840 for information on required audition.

Classes meet on Tuesday nights.

Kids class meets 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Teen's Class meets 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Currently running to last Tuesday in June 2008

PREVIOUSLY OFFERED COURSES

Course: Adult Singing

This 1.5 hour class teaches breathing, voice technique, styles of singing and incorporates ear-training and audiation. Each class consists of a half hour of voice exercises, a half hour of ear-training and a half-hour of performance where students take turns coming up to sing a song of their choosing for the class for feedback and support.

Course Objectives:
   • Learn proper vocal technique including getting over that "nasty break" and how to apply it to the song.
   • Learn about and employ proper "body mapping" and alignment
   • Learn about Vocal health with the latest information from internationally known voice doctors and speech specialists
   • Learn how to reduce performance anxiety, gain self-confidence, and gain experience in singing in front of an audience
   • Become aware of the capabilities and possibilities of one's own instrument
   • Uncover the singer's soul and how to communicate it through the interpretation, stylization and delivery of the lyric in various styles of music
   • Develop one’s sense of pitch and listening skills to enhance the performance of both your singing and life in general

Met Tuesday nights 7:30 - 9pm

Course: Styles, Techniques, & the "Soul" of Popular Singing

Meets:1.5 hours per week for 8 classes

Statement of Purpose: To give the student opportunities to grow as a singer, an artist, and as a person, through the study of the workings of their voice, practicing and performing "popular" styles of music, and through various exercises and studies which build self-awareness. To help the student find the "soul" of their voice/music and it's interpretive performance through popular song. To give the student insight into the scope of what it takes to become a professional popular singer.

Overview: Development of basic techniques and skills appropriate for singing various styles of commercial and popular music. Emphasis will be on fundamental singing techniques, song interpretation, and the joy of performing. Some music technology and the business of music will also be discussed. Solo and ensemble (back-up) singing performances are included.

Course Objectives:

Learn proper vocal technique and how to apply it to the popular song including over that "nasty break."
Learn about and employ proper "body mapping" and alignment
Learn about Vocal health
Learn how to reduce performance anxiety, gain self-confidence, and gain experience in singing in front of an audience
Become aware of the capabilities and possibilities of one's own instrument
Uncover the singer's soul and how to communicate it through the interpretation, stylization and delivery of the lyric in various styles of popular music
Learn simple vocal improvisation
Learn how to choose appropriate repertoire for the individual's voice and audience, write simple music arrangements and charts, find the best key for the individual's range, and count off & lead your song for the band.
Learn good staging and pacing techniques for the song and your show.
Learn basic terminologies for communicating with musicians and other vocalists in a language they understand
Learn to understand professional sound equipment, set up, and mic technique
Learn what's necessary to prepare, find and maintain work as a popular vocalist.
Learn how to become your own best personal manager
Learn how to create successful demo packages and promote your act
Learn how to map goals that achieve results

Class Activities: Class time will be divided between lecture/discussion, vocal exercises, critical listening and student performances. Students will be required to perform at least two times during the course. Both songs must be memorized and will be selected from among the styles of music covered in the scope of the course.

Requirements of the Student: The text, "The Complete Singer's Guide to Becoming a Working Professional" by Wayland Pickard. Students are encouraged to complete four reviews and discuss them in class from their notes. They are: a) insights from a popular performer's biography, b) analysis of a popular singer's video performance, c) analysis of a popular singer's stage performance either in live concert or video of live concert, d) analysis of the vocal performance of a popular singer's CD. Approximately 1 hour per day will be expected for vocal technique practice (half-hour per day for exercises), song practice and studies.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to . . .

Enjoy the fulfillment of being comfortable with oneself and convincing as a popular singer/performer
Demonstrate fundamental elements of good singing including correct posture, breathing, and delivery of a popular song
Understand and be able to demonstrate vocally to the best of their ability, the basic characteristics, and timbres of different styles of Commercial music including but not limited to: Pop, R&B, Rock, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, and Country.
Establish an appropriate repertoire list and have 2 readable charts of music to perform in any occasion
Perform simple vocal improvisation
Analyze, identify and be able to communicate Song Structure (arrangement) and basic reading of musical symbols (DC, DS. coda, repeat, etc.)
Self-Promotion and marketing
Describe and exhibit basic elements of good vocal health.
Exhibit good microphone technique, use basic recording terminology & conduct, and expedite communication in sound checks.

Fee: (Does not include cost of text which is needed by the first night. There are no refunds for missed classes or withdrawals.) Reservations by phone or email need to be made and payment is in full prior to the first class.

Course: Beginning Singing & Audiation

Even if you think you might be "tone deaf" you can learn to sing, sing on key and stay in rhythm. Using the latest techniques in neuro-sciences, you can easily and quickly learn to find your singing voice, pitch, and over come any fears you have about voicing yourself in public. In a very fun and relaxed atmosphere, you will also learn the basic techniques for good singing: breathing, body-mapping (alignment), tone production, vocal health, and uncover the mystery of reading the music maps. You will learn how to audiate (audiation is to music like thinking is to language). This will change the way you hear yourself and world around you forever. Requirements: a willingness to have fun and be open to personal growth. No great voice is required! Taught by Grammy winner, Darlene Koldenhoven, M.M. Voice, B.M. Ed., Certified Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner. Ms. Koldenhoven has over 20 years experience in successfully teaching people who think they can't sing. She was the vocal coach and real life choir director for both Sister Act movies and the tambourine-waving choir nun on camera. Enjoy and enhance the quality of your life more and never be embarrassed to sing in public or private again. You're going to have a lot of fun!

Meets: one evening per week for 8 weeks from 7:30 to 9pm (or a daytime class)

Course: Early Music Readiness for Toddlers - Class for Ages 3 to 5 years

Here's a fun and relaxed class where parents and children will learn to interact together musically. By using a specially coordinated compilation of music and movement activities, you will discover the pure delight of playing music and movement games with your children. You will learn how to provide a rich music environment for them, how to listen to and understand the sounds they make, and how to reinforce each child's music and movement creativity through imitation and improvisation using audiation. Consequently, you will lay the foundation for a lifetime of music and movement participation, understanding, and enjoyment for your children. There is a clear analogy between the processes of learning music and learning language including the listening, speaking/singing/chanting, reading, and writing vocabularies. Music simply is the discipline that can teach persons how to use their audiation potential to improve the quality of their lives. (Audiation is to music as thinking is to language; the ability each of us has to think music). This class will also prepare your child for the formal music education they will receive in school, choirs, bands, and the private study of instruments. Lessons from Tune Your Voice will be examined and explained how to use with young children.

Meets: Seven 45 minute classes and one 1 hour adult orientation class.
Groups forming based on response
Class size: Limited to 6 children and 1 parent per child. (Minimum of 4 toddlers to hold class.)
Attire: comfortable as we will be moving around indoors and out.

In the orientation class, you will be given an overview of the course including what to expect from your child, what your child will be taught and the kinds of musical acculturation and dialogue to have with your child to prepare him/her for the "learnings" over the next few weeks before the regular classes begin. Simple music terminology will be discussed and an outline with guidelines will be distributed to help you prepare for the class. You may want to tape record this class.

Toddlers (and parents) will learn to:
Find their singing voice
Breathe musically
Sing tonal patterns
Chant rhythmic patterns
Build an extensive music vocabulary of musical sounds, thoughts, & movements
Explore their large body movements
Begin to coordinate their ear/eye/hand movements
Begin to audiate
Hear how their personal tonal and rhythm patterns coordinates with others.
Distinguish major/minor tonalities, keyalities, simple meter, tempo, dynamics.
Imitate, discriminate, assimilate music patterns.
Assimilate weight and flow, time and space as they relate to continuous movement.

Course: STYLES in GROUP SINGING

If you've ever been curious about singing in a choir or becoming a back-up singer, or if you have enjoyed the experience already and want more, here's your chance to learn new skills, develop your old ones, strengthen musical awareness, and have a great time doing it. Taught in a creative, casual, and fun environment, you'll learn all the basics for excellent group singing plus "toning" for good health. Be part of a wonderful social experience and improve your musical abilities at the same time. Taught by Grammy winner and acclaimed choir director for Sister Act and Sister Act II, Ms. Koldenhoven has contracted and conducted singers for hundreds of movies, records, commercials, television shows, church choirs, and live concerts for major stars. Among her many choral credits are: Chicago Symphony Chorus; the original lead soprano in two acclaimed vocal groups, Clare Fischer's 2+2 (Grammy & three nominations, three albums) and Morgan Ames' Inner Voices (one album on Rhino); and soloist & choir leader for David Byrne's "The Forest" in concert world-wide. Learn the "inside" information about what it takes to be a great back-up singer and an excellent choir singer. She is also a credentialed voice faculty member at Citrus College and Cal State LA. Participants will have ample opportunity to expand their choral repertoire and discover new ways to sing many styles of choral music. No experience necessary and there will be a wide variety of levels from easy on up. Seating is limited to twenty five so sign up now; minimum 8. Aproximately 75 pages of Sheet Music & Educational pieces will be observed.

MEETS: One Saturday 10am to 4pm

THE LEARNINGS
Choral Singing Techniques
Sight-Singing Choral Music
Background Singing & Mic Techniques
Creating Background Parts
Basic Harmony Ear-Training
Rhythmic Styles
Conducting & Section Leading
Art of Blending
Toning for Health
Introduction to Various Choral styles
Pop, Gospel, Jazz, Classical, Musical Theater
Avant Garde, Bulgarian & other Foreign Styles

�2001 Darlene Koldenhoven. All rights reserved.

Course: Music for the Eyes and Ears
Basic and Intermediate Ear-Training and Sight-Singing

LEARNINGS
Audiation techniques ( audiation is to music as thinking is to language)
Finding the center of the pitch
Identifiy the primary 12 intervals by sight and sound
Identify and sing primary scales and modes
Basic Solfeggio (Do Re Mi) & Numbers
Harmony Ear-Training
Identifying 4 basic chord groups by sight and sound
Listening to your part within a chord
Hearing the chords change
Finding common tones between chords
Making up harmony parts
Sight-Singing Easy Solo & Choral Music
Identifying Meter,Time and Tempo

MORE LEARNINGS
Simple Sight-Singing Evaluation Required
Continued solo & part sight reading in more chalenging keys & syncopated rhythms
Identifying intermediate chords, sus 4, 7ths, 9ths
Hearing, reading, and writing out the arrangement.
Writing out chords, parts, charts, and melodies by ear
Reading Rhythmic Styles: Classical, Rock, Jazz
Sight-Singing Intermediate Solo and Choral Music

MEETS
Eight hour and a half classes per section

Course: Marketing for Singers - Seminar Part I
One Saturday, 10am to 4pm

Myth #1 The Music is the hard part. Myth #2 Getting work is easy if I'm good.

Part one of this class will show you what it takes and what you'll need to get ito the business of singing. Insider tips on how to break through to the next level: imaging, packaging, targeting, networking, follow-up, unions, policing your work, getting paid & keeping records, and much much more of everything else it takes to make the business of singing work for you. What do record companies want? What are vocal contractors looking for? How do I get work? You'll hear answers to these questions and many more.Want to be inspired? This is the class!

Producing Your Own Vocal Demo - Seminar Part II

In part two of this class you will learn what the various kinds of demos are for studio work or record deal shopping and other purposes, develop an outline for your demo, what materials you'll need, what photos and graphics are involved,etc., and who your target audiences will be. You will also learn how to produce the assembly process by learning what editing tools available to you. At this point you will be ready at your option to finish the demo at another facility of your choice or you may have them assembled and mastered here at TimeArt Studio with our engineer. Time permitting, participants will have the opportunity to bring some of their examples to class and have them evaluated and discussed for editing value.

Course: Getting Acquainted with the Recording Studio
One Saturday, 10am to 4pm

If you've ever wondered how music is recorded and what all those "knobs" are for, this is the class for you. Here you will learn all the basic terminology on how to communicate with engineers, producers, and talent to get what you want for your project and have a successful recording session that can stay in your budget. This is a real hands on class where you will be introduced to various mics and what they are good for, various recording devices and what they do, ways to records your music. If you're relatively knew to recording in a professional studio, save yourself a whole bunch of money later on by taking this class first.