Koldenhoven Brings Christmas Music and More to Kodiak

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Erik Wander/KMXT

The Kodiak Arts Council brings Grammy award winning soprano and recording artitst Darlene Koldenhoven to Kodiak next week for a performance of holiday music and songs from her latest album. Koldenhoven is perhaps best known for her featured vocal solo "Aria" in "Yanni, Live at the Acropolis," but she says her work is much broader than the term "new age" music describes.

The Kodiak concert will feature a mix of songs from Koldenhoven’s recently re-released Christmas album, "Heavenly Peace," and her latest album, 2007’s "Infinite Voice." She said she will also perform new songs she hopes to record on her next album. Koldenhoven describes the music from the two albums as a blend of traditional, classical music and modern influences.

(Koldenhoven 1 40 sec "It’s not your typical … everything from Stravinsky to Sting.")

Koldenhoven bristles at being labeled a "new age" artist. Instead, she says she sings a wide variety of music, from classical to pop to jazz.

(Koldenhoven 2 39 sec "It’s very beautiful music … whatever you want .")

Koldenhoven’s songs have appeared on numerous film soundtracks, including "Horton Hears a Who," "X-Men 3," "Dances With Wolves" and the upcoming "The Tales of Despereaux." In addition to Yanni, she has performed or recorded with Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, David Byrne and Ramsey Lewis among others and has appeared on-camera singing on "American Idol" and the 2000 Academy Awards with Robin Williams. She is a three-time Grammy nominee and won the award in 1981 for best jazz vocal performance by a duo or group when she performed as the lead soprano in Clare Fischer’s "Two Plus Two." She said winning the award was an experience she won’t soon forget.

(Koldenhoven 3 18 sec "We were shocked … it was really exciting.")

Koldenhoven said she has never been to Alaska, but she’s looking forward to the experience, particularly at a time when Alaska and Kodiak have been in the national spotlight. She also looks forward to interacting with the audience, something she often does after a concert.

(Koldenhoven 4 43 sec "It’s my very first visit … just love to meet the audience.")

Darlene Koldenhoven performs live at the George C. Wilson Auditorium December 5th at 8 p.m. Her CDs and her new book, "Tune Your Voice: Singing and your Mind’s Musical Ear," will be available for purchase at the show. More information on Darlene Koldenhoven and the Kodiak Arts Council is available online at kmxt.org. I’m Erik Wander.

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