GRAMMY® Winner and three-time nominee, Darlene Koldenhoven, has written a memoir to encourage others to never give up on their dreams, no matter what. Put Your Dress Down and Sing: Memoir with a Message is the inspiring story of how determination, hard work, and a lesson she learned from her mother at age 3 about her dress, helped her overcome obstacles, navigate physical challenges, and survive traumas to create and maintain a successful career as an independent vocal artist in the Hollywood entertainment industry for over 40 years. Music gave her a life she could never have imagined.

​

The memoir draws you into the story of how, against all odds, a shy, introverted, Calvinist girl from the South Side of Chicago became known globally as the tambourine-waving choir nun in both "Sister Act" movies with Whoopi Goldberg and the featured soprano soloist in "Yanni, Live at the Acropolis," the most popular PBS-TV Special and video seen by over 1.5 billion worldwide.

​

Her strict, repressive upbringing only allowed her to sing or listen to religious or classical music. Yet she sang with many A-list celebrities as a studio singer for the likes of Pink Floyd and as a live show background singer for Sir Paul McCartney, who kissed her on the cheek on stage at the Hollywood Bowl. Nothing could have prepared her for That! After singing on over 1,000 recordings in film, television, albums, and commercials, mid-career, Darlene pivoted and made her way to the front of the stage as a successful indie artist herself. She was inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame in 2019, and two of her multi-award-winning albums debuted on the Billboard Charts at #4 and #8 in 2021.

​

Peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry and enjoy a plethora of intriguing moments from her remarkable life: triumphant, endearing, and funny. Foreword by Brad Cole (Phil Collins).​

​

​

​

About the Author - Bio Highlights

​

What made Grammy-winner and 3-time nominee Darlene Koldenhoven one of the most sought-after singers in Hollywood? Was it her 5-octave range, style versatility, and sight-reading prowess? Or her memorable soprano solo, “Aria,” in Yanni, Live at the Acropolis, seen by 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. Whatever the reason, she has had a remarkable career. Darlene sang in the studios on over 1,000 recordings in film, television, commercials, albums, and charitable causes internationally. The Recording Academy presented her with the MVP Award for Best Session Singer in Los Angeles. Disney hired her as the tambourine-wielding choir nun in both Sister Act films, starring Whoopi Goldberg. Even Paul McCartney kissed her on the cheek on stage at the Hollywood Bowl while exiting the stage after their performance. 

​

As her career blossomed, in 2000, she started her own label, TimeArt®, producing fourteen albums. Several went #1 on the worldwide radio charts. Awards flowed. Two albums debuted at #4 and #8 on the Billboard Charts in 2021. While performing globally, she was the first inductee into the Indie Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

​

Darlene is a vocalist, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, engineer, and producer. She is also a certified sonic therapist and credentialed voice teacher with a master’s degree in voice and a bachelor's in music education. She authored a comprehensive music program, Tune Your Voice: Singing and Your Mind’s Musical Ear, endorsed by faculty from Juilliard, Berklee, NYC, and American Idol. Furthering her humanitarian passions for peace and planet, in 2018, she trained with former Vice President Al Gore to become a Climate Reality Leader, giving climate presentations, some accompanied by her music.