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GRAMMY® Winner
Darlene Koldenhoven's Memoir
Put Your Dress Down and Sing
Coming August 7, 2026
PreSale May 7 to August 7
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 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, survive traumas, and turn adversity into opportunity to create and maintain a successful career as an independent vocal artist in the Hollywood entertainment industry for over 45 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. Darlene continues to produce music, tour with her concerts, workshops, and dramatic readings of her memoir.
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Take a deeper dive into Darlene's work on films, television, albums, commercials, awards, appearances, and more by clicking on the icon.
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"Aria" Yanni, Live at the Acropolis
"Ode to Our Orb"
Darlene Koldenhoven
"Remember Me"
Darlene Koldenhoven
Darlene on Vicki! TV Interview
Darlene's Climate Reality Presentation Excerpt
More Videos on Darlene's YouTube Channel Click Here & Subscribe
The Music Within the Stories by Chapter Click Here for Links
Career Photos from Darlene's Memoir Click Here
Family Photos Below Click Here
REVIEWS
“Put Your Dress Down and Sing is everything you want in a memoir. It's the riveting journey of a woman whose talent and perseverance have overcome every setback with strength, humor, and resilience.”
Gloria Loring, singer, actor, author Days of Our Lives
“A gripping memoir that weaves together an extraordinary journey of resilience, artistry, and deep personal sacrifice. Darlene’s story is not just about fame, but about the moments that define us. It’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the bonds of service and sacrifice, and the unexpected ways that the power of music can shape our lives.”
Colonel Andy DeRosa, USAF (ret) Bronze Star, OIF and OEF Veteran
“What happens when dreams and desires embolden a determined Dutch girl? She tosses her wooden shoes for stilettos, high-steps it to Hollywood, and sings her way into the spotlight, with spunk, sass, and sparkle. You might “put your dress down,” but you can’t put this book down.”
Leslie Zemekis, actor, author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, co-founder of Santa Barbara Literary Festival.
“Reading Darlene’s book is like hearing her sing: pitch perfect, full and rich, and faultless the first time through. For fifty years she has filled the world with music, and now we can all go along her journey with her, without fear, fail, or flaw.”
Don Davis, The Matrix films, Emmy-winning composer, DonDavis.net
“A unique career, a unique voice. It’s a fun, inspiring journey. I guarantee you will enjoy her life almost as much as she does.”
Ken Levine, Emmy-winning director, TV writer/producer, MASH, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons
“Put Your Dress Down and Sing is powerful, honest, and triumphant. It encourages anyone who has ever felt silenced or diminished to reclaim their voice. Darlene’s life is a reminder that courage grows in the most unlikely places, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is exactly what she learned to do: sing.”
Ricky Kej, 3X Grammy Winner, U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, RIckyKej.com
"Put Your Dress Down and Sing tells the story of, truly, one of the best voices of our generation! Nobody sings like Darlene! After her performance with Yanni at the Acropolis, you see, and hear, why she is the legend that she is!"
Christopher Ewing, Emmy Award-winning TV host, actor, ChristopherEwing.com
“Put Your Dress Down and Sing captures the depth, humanity, and resolve behind Darlene’s extensive accomplishments. Her influence extends far beyond charts or recognition. She leads by example — through integrity, generosity, and an unshakable belief in the power of music to serve, heal, and connect. For those already in this industry, and for those who aspire to be part of it, her journey offers both guidance and encouragement. This is the story of an artist who has stayed true to herself while continuing to grow, contribute, and inspire across generations.”
Kelly Milionis, promoter, producer, GRAMMY® Advocate on Capitol Hill
“With a more than humble beginning to a miraculous human triumph, Darlene Koldenhoven’s Put Your Dress Down and Sing is a deeply personal account of how music and hard work can fulfill your dreams. From grammar school debacle to Grammy Award-winning vocals, Koldenhoven has lived it all. Writing as if directing a symphony, Darlene’s heartfelt chronicle blends emotion, education, and entertainment to keep the reader occupied. A mother’s command starts it all. Great reading.”
R J Lannan, music journalist, ArtisanMusicReviews.com
“Darlene Koldenhoven's book is such fun! What a remarkable life this amazing lady has led. A musical prodigy who seems to have performed with practically every musical icon in show business. Her clarity and heartfelt wisdom shine through the extraordinary episodes of her life, both the ups and downs, in a career that spans decades, continents, genres, plus her journey into the world of New Age music and sound healing! Reading Put Your Dress Down and Sing is such an enjoyable experience that it is difficult to put down once you've begun. A genuinely entertaining read. We highly recommend it.”
Jonathan and Andi Goldman, sound healing pioneers, authors, award-winning musicians, HealingSounds.com
“Put Your Dress Down and Sing delivers a dynamic message of hope, resilience, and achievement against all odds, punctuated by her playful sense of humor."
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck, music journalist, MuzikMan.net
Being a successful female musician in Los Angeles isn’t just hard; it requires nerves of steel, a lifelong dedication to believing in yourself, and, oh, by the way, talent: big, strong, disciplined, inspired, and most of the time, genius-level lightning-only-strikes-once talent. Plus, for a female singer, add ephemeral and magical qualities. Darlene has and is all that, along with a heart and soul that have touched so many. Her memoir is not just a look at the music industry; it’s an amazing chronicle of a life well-lived, a sometimes-hair-raising life, and a many-times-rewarding life.
Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen, spiritual director, North Hollywood Oneness Center for Spiritual Living, pianist, composer
"It's truly amazing how a mother's well-meaning comment to her very shy little girl could be a motto for a long and very inspiring singing career, and even become the title of her memoir years later. Put Your Dress Down and Sing is a detailed account of a singer who started singing in church at 3 and went on to sing all over the world with a voice that has lifted the hearts of so many, including with Yanni at the Acropolis."
Kathy Parsons, music journalist, music educator, music editor, MainlyPiano.com