It’s not every day that a celebrity singer and actress takes time out to share the secrets of her trade with enthusiasts.
But that and more is what Darlene Koldenhoven will be giving to music lovers and vocalists in the city on July 15.
The Grammy Award-winning American singer is in Bengaluru to deliver a Western vocal talk and masterclass organised by The Majolly Music Trust.
The beautiful, tall and blond Darlene, who featured as the singing nun in the movie Sister Act, tells MetroPlus that it’s been a lifelong dream to visit India.
“And now, to have the opportunity to sing and teach here is amazing. I am overwhelmed with joy!
For the interest of your readers who sew, I have stitched all the clothes and gowns for this very special trip.”
Deeply passionate about Indian music, she says: “The scales, rhythms, timbres, instruments, players and singers themselves have fascinated me since I was first exposed to it in college. I feel very satisfied musically listening to it.”
Darlene, who is world-renowned, not just for her vocal proficiency, but also for her deep love for sharing knowledge on vocals and teaching singers, also produces, composes, arranges, programmes keyboards, and writes lyrics.
She also hosts an indie label TimeArt and authored a comprehensive music education book with seven instructional CDs to train the mind’s musical ear and teach people how to sing.
Best describing her long and illustrious musical journey as an adventurous wild ride, Darlene says she’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“There has been a tremendous amount of sacrifice, but, for the few minutes I am on stage performing or teaching, it is well worth it on so many levels.
I’ve worked with some of the most amazing artistes around the world. And sung on over a thousand recordings in the USA in movies, albums, commercials, films, and live on stage. I was honoured with my first of three Grammy Nominations at 30 and won it six years later as lead soprano with Clare Fischer’s 2+2 in a Latin Jazz band. I even taught music readiness to infants as young as five months and toddlers at one of the colleges. I teach lessons by Skype now so students from around the world can take advantage of my years of experience as a teacher and performing recording artiste. And in May 2017, I will release my ninth album of original music and arrangements.”
Recalling where it all started, Darlene affirms her musical journey began in her mother’s womb.
“She and the family sang a lot and she would play classical music to me by putting the radio against her belly. So I came out singing, with a love for finer music. She started me on piano lessons at age nine and my first formal voice lesson was at age 16. I had my own record player as a child and would sing along for hours, even taking it on family vacations. My first public appearance was on Easter Sunday morning at church where I sang a difficult song. I was only three years old. I was hooked on performing with just that one little ‘appearance’.”
One of the few gifted with a five-octave range, Darlene says the secret to expanding the vocal range is in shared muscle coordination and resonance balance.
“This includes keeping the larynx down. A special series of vocal exercises sung daily is required to stretch and assist the vocal musculature to function at maximum performance. A certain amount of the vocal sound is genetic physiology, which shapes your sound, and your listening ear determines the capabilities of vocal timbre; the rest is up to you.”
On how music education has evolved over the years, she affirms that there has always been too much misinformation floating around out there, especially now with YouTube.
“Some of the information is cultural. Also, there’s not enough information on the primary role that the ear plays in the voice as it is actually the ear that ‘sings’. The old Italian school of singing was and still is the best foundation for singing. I don’t know about India but it is sad to see music education in elementary school practically gone in the USA.”
So to aspiring singers in India, Darlene says: “Practice, practice, practice. Good singing technique is a must. Train your ears and voice. Study all styles of singing from Indian classical and Western classical to Western pop and musical theatre. Be diligent in finding an excellent teacher.
Ask good questions. Maintain good health, sing every day and encourage others to sing. Remember, your job is to move the audience – it is not about feeding your ego. Make sure your entire image, from clothing, to actions, to the music you perform, reflects your integrity as a musician or vocalist. Also a humble confidence goes a long way.”
Catch the celebrity live at The Majolly Music Trust’s Western vocal talk and masterclass on July 15 from 7 p.m. at Theme Piano World, Indiranagar.
This is open to music teachers and students, with very limited slots for masterclasses. Call 8494930941.
