T I M E A R T

T E A C H I N G R E V I E W S

“You were absolutely wonderful! You truly are a master in the truest sense of the word. I've been a music writer for over 35 years and I don't think I've ever heard the information you shared given in such a clear practical manner. The SCL Board [Society of Composers & Lyricists] is excited about the prospect of revisiting this topic, if you're willing, either in late summer or fall. Once Again, Thanks for a terrific experience.”

—Ira Hearshen, Composer, Pulitzer Prize 2x Nominee, Los Angeles, CA

"I wouldn't recommend anyone else but a consummate artist like Darlene for ear-training, sight-singing and in general, good musical taste."
-Seth Riggs, Vocal Coach to the Stars

"Thanks to Darlene I can now actually SING her praises. She's more than just a great teacher. She's an alchemist -- able to spin straw into gold (certainly in my case). I came to Darlene two years ago with the following goals -- to be able to sing Sinatra in the car and "Oh Canada". What she has instilled in me is so much more. A love, understanding, and appreciation of music that will enrich my life until my final note. Thank you Darlene, for such a precious gift."

–Ken Levine, Emmy winning writer/director/producer of such shows as MASH, CHEERS, FRASIER, SIMPSONS, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. Co-writer of VOLUNTEERS starring Tom Hanks. Play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and San Diego Padres.

"Thanks … for all that you have done for our students!!!!! I can't believe the difference I am hearing in your students after only one quarter of study. You are terrific!"

–David Connors, CSLA Chair, Dept. of Music

"Darlene is an extraordinary singer. She moves effortlessly from the voice you hope angels really sound like, to singing lead in the hippest of jazz vocal groups. There seems to be no limit to her range, and she is the role model for the right way to use the voice. I wish I had studied with her when I first started singing. We have sung together on many projects, from large choruses in film scores to small groups on records, and I am always in awe of her consummate musicianship, keen sense of style, and simply that great sound!

–Ian Freebairn-Smith, KCSN "Morning Classical" Radio Host,
Grammy winning arranger, composer

"Darlene Koldenhoven has been a great influence in my musical life. When I came to her at 10 years old with the dream of being a singer, Darlene taught me the life long lessons of what it takes to sing. Her nurturing and well thought out method really taught me the lessons for a lifetime. With her help I was accepted as a vocal student at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and last year our Vocal Jazz ensemble won first place in a nation wide competition. Our reward was being invited to sing at this years Monterey Jazz Festival. Darlene not only taught me how to sing, but taught me ear training and music theory which helped me develop as a songwriter. After recording several original songs, producer Jay Ferguson heard my music and offered to produce my CD. Jay has a long history in the business and top selling rock n roll musician, composer, and song writer. Jay wrote the theme to THE OFFICE. We just completed the CD which is titled TIME HAS STOPPED and is available on ITUNES. One of the songs, Everything's Alright was recoreded at Darlene's Time Art Studio.Once the CD was completed, I sent it out to several clubs around L.A. and received four bookings in the first week.Thank you Darlene for helping me develop. I could not have done it without you."

–Nikki Lang, Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist, Age 16,

Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts

"I really enjoyed your class at TAXI Road Rally. I started using your Tune Your Voice CD series last week, just finishing up the 1st CD. After only 2 days I'm noticing a difference even on those very simple exercises, using the techniques you mentioned in class. In particular, I'm enjoying the "quiet breath" at the back of the throat and avoiding too much breath pressure at the glottis. It's so much more relaxing, more like meditation. Very cool! Four more gems for me were lightening up the breath as the pitch ascends, lowering the jaw as the pitch ascends, your neck position pointers, and realizing that the lungs are actually more toward the back of the torso and larger than I thought...It's great to be getting my voice back in shape after a few months of decline. And doing so in a new way that will not only get my voice back, but much better than it was before! Thanks a million!"
–Alana McGuire, Encinitas, CA

"Your class at the Taxi Road Rally has definitely been the highlight of the event. I'm mainly a songwriter and don't really sing too much in public, but I see where your exercises and techniques could improve my BobDylanish rasp. Really enjoyed hearing what you had to say (and sing.)"

– Mike Taylor, San Francisco, CA

"If I could choose only one person to bring to campus, it would be Darlene Koldenhoven. Her combination of talent, beauty, top level entertainment experience, and commitment to things of value is exactly what our students need to see and know about. She will, I believe, inspire many young people to seek the kinds of careers which can make a difference in our world. "Keys to the World" goes immediately to number one on the Briner play list."
-Bob Briner
Author of "Roaring Lambs," "Lambs Among Wolves," " Final Roar"

"Our symposium at Valley College was an eminent success. Darlene Koldenhoven gave an insightful and enjoyable account of her studio happenings. She was great fun and wonderfully generous with her advice."
-The National Association of Teachers of Singing
Los Angeles Chapter Bulletin

"Thank you for the sensational lecture you presented at our Fourth Annual Voice Career Symposium at the John Anson Ford Theater. Your knowledgeable insight as to the realities of the professional selection process for singers was both substantial and eye-opening. Your many years of experience as both professional vocal coach and public speaker is clearly evident. Your topics of marketing, networking, and those painstaking and on-going reality checks were presented so eloquently and with impressive authority.
I also thank you for participating on the KPFK FM 98.7 show, For The Record, I`m sure all of LA enjoyed as much as we, the critiques you stated in regards to professional presentation and self-awareness as a singer. I am personally looking forward to including you in future seminars and special events. You have been a great addition to our Artist Development department."
-Susan Nelson Howell
Executive Director, Premier West Entertainment

"Darlene's presentations were inspirational and informative, her commitment was clear and openly expressed . . . gifted with one of the most pleasing and dynamic voices . . . we were simply amazed at her vocal talent."
-Quentin J. Schultze, Ph.D.
Author of "Redeeming Television" & "Dancing in the Dark"
Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

"She had a positive impact that even today former students and their parents inquire about her. She is still remembered here for her energy and great work. She created music programs which were challenging for our gifted and talented students. She was involved in the District committees to determine District Philosophy. She provided many opportunities for our children to perform before public groups. Her enthusiasm and caring for the children were the reason they loved working with her."
-Joan Gifford, Principal
District 59, Illinois

"Thanks for taking time to participate in my U.C.L.A. Extension class. Your willingness to share your vast knowledge and experience with those attempting to advance their carreers in the music industry is greatly appreciated."
-Kent Klavens, Attorney at Law
Famous Music Publishing, CA

"I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful presentation at my Business of Music class! I really appreciated your straightforward and organized approach and the students loved your positive attitude and your willingness to share yourself and the work you do. I hope you will consider doing this more often. You're a natural!"
-K.A. Parker, Teacher
Department of Music, Golden West College, CA

"Thanks so much for sharing with us your insight into the "real world." I'm sure that there are many students that had their horizons broadened whether they realized it or not. I've heard a lot of good comments from them that they were inspired by your talk and are enthusiastic about doing a lot more performing. It was great having you here and I know that God will continue to bless your work. Keep in touch."
-Mary Tickfer, Concert & Tour Manager
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

"There is one class of teacher that is very rare-and you can consider yourself lucky if you get one per life. It is what can be called a "Magical Teacher." This is the teacher that changes your life and puts you on a completely different track. Most people have heard of these fabled teachers that can turn a "math-hater" into a mathematician that loves numbers or can bring history alive with their storytelling abilities. A few have actually been touched by one of these gems.

Darlene Koldenhoven is that kind of teacher. She is magic. It is neither just her extensive training, nor her enormous versatility and vocal range. The music comes alive, and so does my 12-year old daughter, who is often hungry, cranky, and tired after school. She has been studying with Darlene for only about seven months now, but she has learned more in that short time than in the previous three years. Darlene doesn`t just do scales, she teaches music. And my daughter is understanding it. With Darlene`s guidance my daughter`s natural talent can be turned into greatness. And that`s magic . . . I suggest you get her while you can. Teacher`s like her are a once in a lifetime event."
-Russell K. Dollinger, Ph.D
President Booksmythe, Medical Book Publishers

"I didn't want the time to slip by without thanking you for your keen insights and contributions to my vocal progress. We have accomplished a great deal in a rather short period of time. I consider this a remarkable achievement for which I am deeply grateful. You have made this study enjoyable while maintaining the integrity of a highly intense and challenging program. It takes a special person to successfully combine the two and I consider it my great good fortune to have found you to guide and encourage me from the other side of the piano. You are a gifted performer and teacher--thank you so very much."
-Deborah Kocol
Westlake Village, CA

"She is musically one of the most gifted artists with whom I have ever worked. She knows music-all forms, genres and means of production-and she knows how to communicate her art effectively to others. In addition, she is the kind of dedicated teacher who naturally gets students to perform their best work . . . I have been amazed at how effectively she instills the joy of learning even routine exercises, the way she motivates learners, and the care she gives individual students. For her, teaching is a way of developing students' talents, not just a means of transmitting information of conducting lesson plans. Students like her and learn from her. As she cherishes them, they rise to the occasion as sincere learners. I recommend Ms. Koldenhoven enthusiastically."
-Quentin J. Schultze, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI

"Our traveling road show required her to work with seven different amateur adult and children's choirs in many locations around the US and Canada. (One choir was 650 high school students and 150 elementary students!) She was universally liked and the choirs did things for her none of us thought were possible. Her work with these choirs as teacher, director, and choir choreographer was simply excellent. She knows how to inspire and motivate people for 5 to 85 years old and get them involved. She handles people form other cultures extremely well in spite of language barriers. She spent nine days in Sierra Leone, West Africa auditioning singers, listening to and selecting their songs, assisting in their arrangements, teaching them some vocal technique, singing in harmony, and choreography. She worked intensively with the seven singers and musicians and not only helped them to create a truly memorable part of the show but did so in such a way that they grew to deeply respect and care for her - and she them."
-Peter Vander Meulen
Producer, Free to Serve
Coordinator for Social Justice and Hunger Action
Christian Reformed Church of North America