Darlene Koldenhoven’s A Grand Memoir racks up global music awards

Darlene Koldenhoven’s solo piano project A Grand Memoir has won multiple honors across classical crossover, easy listening and spoken word categories, including five wins at the 2026 Indie Music Channel Awards. The awards, plus additional nominations and finalist spots, are expanding the reach of the GRAMMY-winning artist’s latest release.

Why it matters: - A Grand Memoir is crossing multiple formats at once, giving Darlene Koldenhoven visibility in classical crossover, easy listening, new age and spoken-word circles. - The project links an album, memoir and audiobook, broadening its audience beyond traditional solo piano listeners. - The awards momentum could help drive more attention to the album, the memoir and Koldenhoven’s live appearances.

What happened: - Darlene Koldenhoven’s A Grand Memoir won five honors at the 2026 Indie Music Channel Awards on Sept. 6. - The wins included Best Easy Listening Songwriter for “Jacaranda Joy” and Best Easy Listening Female Artist for “Le Petit Carrousel.” - The project also earned Best Spoken Word Producer, Best Spoken Word Artist and Best Spoken Word Recording for the audiobook version of Put Your Dress Down and Sing - A Memoir. - The awards add to a longer list of recognition for the project from U.S. and international music organizations.

The details: - A Grand Memoir has also received Best Classical Crossover Album from LIT Music Awards in London. - The album won Best of Pangea — Classical Crossover for “Impressions” from the Intercontinental Music Awards. - Clouzine International Music Awards named A Grand Memoir Best Classical Crossover Album. - European International Music Awards gave the project three honors: Best Contemporary Classical Album - Gold, Best Classical Solo Piano Single – Gold and Best New Age Solo Piano Single – Silver. - Global Music Awards recognized the album as Best Classical Crossover Album – Silver. - The project has also been named a finalist or nominee by the Creativity Awards, World Entertainment Awards, Intercontinental Music Awards, Elite Music Awards and two European International Music Awards. - A Grand Memoir is Koldenhoven’s third solo piano album and 14th release on her TimeArt® Recordings label. - The album includes 10 original New Age–Classical Crossover compositions, including one improvisation. - Koldenhoven recorded the album live on Jan. 22, 2026. - The performance used a 100-year-old Golden Era Steinway Model L Grand Piano with its original strings and ivory keys. - The piano had been entrusted to Koldenhoven by the family of its original owner, a concert pianist. - The project was inspired by Koldenhoven’s book, ebook and audiobook, Put Your Dress Down and Sing: A Memoir. - Koldenhoven began hearing music in dreams while writing the memoir, and those ideas became the album’s compositions. - Early reviews have praised the album’s expressive piano work, emotional depth and mix of classical crossover and New Age influences. - Koldenhoven is a GRAMMY Award winner with three GRAMMY nominations. - Koldenhoven is known for her featured soprano solo in Yanni, Live at the Acropolis and for appearing in both Sister Act films. - Her previous solo piano albums, The Grand Piano Spa and The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy, debuted at No. 4 and No. 8 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Charts in 2021. - Koldenhoven was the first inductee into the Indie Music Hall of Fame and has received multiple Lifetime Achievement, “Best” and “Album of the Year” awards.

Between the lines: - The recognition suggests A Grand Memoir is working as both a music release and a cross-format brand extension for Koldenhoven’s memoir project. - The combination of piano, spoken word and memoir content gives the project more entry points for awards and audience discovery. - The spread of honors across U.S. and international groups signals growing traction in the independent music world.

What’s next: - A Grand Memoir remains available on major streaming platforms. - CDs and sheet music are available through Koldenhoven’s website. - More information about Darlene Koldenhoven, A Grand Memoir, reviews and upcoming appearances is available at DarleneKoldenhoven.com and on the Upcoming Appearances page. - Koldenhoven’s next schedule updates will continue through her website and social channels.

The bottom line: - A Grand Memoir has become one of Darlene Koldenhoven’s most decorated projects, with awards now spanning music and spoken-word categories.