Wendy Kokkelkoren
After graduating from secondary school Wendy Kokkelkoren was accepted to study solo singing at the Maastricht Conservatory (Conservatorium Maastricht.) During her studies Wendy also performed in church services, musicals and myriad concerts. At age 19 Wendy played one of her favourite parts, Maria in West Side Story, in her first large scale production.
In 1999 Wendy completed the first phase of her studies and while undertaking the second stage joined the Opera Zuid Company as a soloist. With Opera Zuid, Wendy played several leading roles in works such as ‘LEnfant et les Sortilèges, L’Orfeo, Rigoletto and Le Nozze di Figaro.
Guido had long been impressed with Wendy’s voice and range and in 2001 invited her to join Guido’s Orchestra as principle solo soprano. Guido and Wendy weren’t just impressed with one another’s musical abilities; it was love at first sight for both of them. Only months after their first meeting the two were inseparable. Wendy is a great artist and a strong woman and she knew what she wanted so she proposed to Guido on stage in front of a live audience. He said “Yes” to tumultuous applause! In 2006 Guido and Wendy were married in the wonderfully romantic Pancratius church in Heerlen.
In January 2002 Wendy graduated ‘Cum Laude’ and in 2003 Guido’s Orchestra released their first album, ‘Guido’. In 2004 Wendy recorded the solo album ‘Feelings’ in collaboration with Guido, Falco Borsboom and an ensemble from Guido’s Orchestra. Wendy’s sister Tessa also features on the album. The album was recorded in honour of Guido’s father who died in August of that year. Wendy donates part of the profits from ‘Feelings’ to the Pancratius Church, which remains a cause very close to her heart.
Wendy has performed in front of Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of Holland on several occasions, most notably when she was invited to sing both the Dutch and American National Anthems at the launch of the biggest cruise ship in the world, MS Eurodam in 2008. Wendy has sung several National Anthems at large events – including the Macedonian national anthem before the soccer match between Holland and Macedonia in 2005. She is especially looking forward to singing the American National Anthem again while on tour with Guido’s Orchestra in America next year. At the five 2007 Symphonica in Rosso dates Wendy performed ‘Hijo De La Luna’ in front of the 32,000 strong audience in Arnhem each night.
Wendy’s hit single, The 7 C’s composed by Guido and Falco for which she also wrote the lyrics, was a huge hit in Holland and she hopes that the international audience will love this song too. It is not a reference to the oceans of the world but rather the fact that in this one song, Wendy sings 7 High C’s in one song – one of the toughest challenges for any soprano and this is a pop song!
Wendy has developed a strong fan base in Holland and the chant of “Wendy, Wendy, Wendy” can now be heard at many Guido’s Orchestra concerts. Her husband just smiles......
While Wendy has performed with many great artists, she now prefers to commit her time to Guido’s Orchestra and her romantic partnership both musically and personally with Guido. When Wendy and Guido perform together, magic happens and Romance Rocks!
Wendy Kokkelkoren
In 1999 Wendy completed the first phase of her studies and while undertaking the second stage joined the Opera Zuid Company as a soloist. With Opera Zuid, Wendy played several leading roles in works such as ‘LEnfant et les Sortilèges, L’Orfeo, Rigoletto and Le Nozze di Figaro.
Guido had long been impressed with Wendy’s voice and range and in 2001 invited her to join Guido’s Orchestra as principle solo soprano. Guido and Wendy weren’t just impressed with one another’s musical abilities; it was love at first sight for both of them. Only months after their first meeting the two were inseparable. Wendy is a great artist and a strong woman and she knew what she wanted so she proposed to Guido on stage in front of a live audience. He said “Yes” to tumultuous applause! In 2006 Guido and Wendy were married in the wonderfully romantic Pancratius church in Heerlen.
In January 2002 Wendy graduated ‘Cum Laude’ and in 2003 Guido’s Orchestra released their first album, ‘Guido’. In 2004 Wendy recorded the solo album ‘Feelings’ in collaboration with Guido, Falco Borsboom and an ensemble from Guido’s Orchestra. Wendy’s sister Tessa also features on the album. The album was recorded in honour of Guido’s father who died in August of that year. Wendy donates part of the profits from ‘Feelings’ to the Pancratius Church, which remains a cause very close to her heart.
Wendy has performed in front of Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of Holland on several occasions, most notably when she was invited to sing both the Dutch and American National Anthems at the launch of the biggest cruise ship in the world, MS Eurodam in 2008. Wendy has sung several National Anthems at large events – including the Macedonian national anthem before the soccer match between Holland and Macedonia in 2005. She is especially looking forward to singing the American National Anthem again while on tour with Guido’s Orchestra in America next year. At the five 2007 Symphonica in Rosso dates Wendy performed ‘Hijo De La Luna’ in front of the 32,000 strong audience in Arnhem each night.
Wendy’s hit single, The 7 C’s composed by Guido and Falco for which she also wrote the lyrics, was a huge hit in Holland and she hopes that the international audience will love this song too. It is not a reference to the oceans of the world but rather the fact that in this one song, Wendy sings 7 High C’s in one song – one of the toughest challenges for any soprano and this is a pop song!
Wendy has developed a strong fan base in Holland and the chant of “Wendy, Wendy, Wendy” can now be heard at many Guido’s Orchestra concerts. Her husband just smiles......
While Wendy has performed with many great artists, she now prefers to commit her time to Guido’s Orchestra and her romantic partnership both musically and personally with Guido. When Wendy and Guido perform together, magic happens and Romance Rocks!
Wendy Kokkelkoren