We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katja Koren a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katja, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
After a successful music career as a recording artist and professional background vocalist in my homeland, Slovenia, I somehow felt unappreciated. As a nation, we are still overcoming old beliefs—or, as James Brown would say, “It’s a man’s world.” Then my journey of shadow work began, as it’s called in spiritual communities. You have to go through or face something heavy to learn unconditional love for yourself and others.
I moved to LA because I wanted to stay aligned with my values, my higher self, and I was in love with the Slovenian guy who studied here. So it felt right. One of the most important things to me is personal growth and to follow my intuition. I had gained a lot of self-awareness through traveling, lyrics, movies, and books, which showed me that there is much more to life beyond the beautiful and quite comfortable culture I grew up in. I also wanted to learn from the artists and musicians I admire, and since I love jazz, funk, and soul, I followed the roots of those genres to the USA.
Why was that a risk? I left behind everything familiar, I didn’t speak English well, I had empty pockets, and the only people I knew there were a few acquaintances I had met through my boyfriend at the time—no real friends yet. Starting from zero was not easy. But I knew I was where I was meant to be. Anyone who has gone through that process knows that LA can have quite an interesting way of showing you that you belong.
I gained wonderful friendships, confidence, self-trust, expansion—I found my sound and artistic expression, experienced spiritual growth, and, of course, I’m still learning so much every day.
Katja, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My musical journey started early—I recorded my first song when I was seven years old. My parents were supportive of my passion but never pushy. I had the chance to perform and travel across Europe, singing my songs at children’s festivals. When I was 15, I released my first album and later gained recognition through the first talent show on Slovenian National TV. However, as a young girl, I wasn’t fully allowed to pursue my artistic vision. Since I received many offers to sing background vocals, I decided to work as a background vocalist for other artists while continuing to develop my creative work on the side.
I was heartbroken when I realized how the show business industry operates. I promised myself that I would always be a true artist—someone who tells their own story and makes the world a better place by being authentic. I still feel the same way today. I wish there were more support for artists who share this perspective.
As a professional singer and vocal coach, my craft has been shaped by my upbringing. Folk singing was a family tradition, and from a young age, I sang harmonies with my mother’s vocal group twice a week. I began playing piano at eight, took classical vocal lessons at nine, and later transitioned to contemporary vocal training. By my early teens, I was already recording frequently. I discovered a natural talent for creating vocal arrangements, and soon, I was either in the studio or performing on stage at events like Eurovision and TV shows.
Being exposed to a wide variety of musical genres made me deeply curious about different singing styles. After high school, I studied jazz and pop singing and pedagogy in Austria, where I learned the Speech Level Singing technique. That method completely elevated my self-expression. As a vocal coach, I combined my knowledge and experiences to develop a teaching technique called the Pure Singing Method. It helps singers—regardless of their background or style—find their pure voice and develop the tools to express themselves freely. During this period, I also released my second album in Slovene, Veš, kaj mislim? (You Know What I Mean?). I worked on it with an incredible group of musicians and friends from Slovenia, and for the first time, I fully expressed myself through my lyrics. It’s groovy and fun!
After more than a decade in the City of Angels, I can say that I’m grateful I followed my gut. I co-create with amazing people and outstanding musicians, including Vinnie Colaiuta. You can also hear my background vocals on the latest Kool & The Gang album.
I’m very proud of my new podcast, Village Life, where I talk about my life, beliefs, and experiences. I hope to inspire people through my healing and learning process and perhaps offer gentle reminders for a more joyful existence.
You are kindly invited to subscribe to my YouTube channel (Katja Koren) or find my music on any streaming platform. For more info, visit my Instagram (@katjakorenom) or my website www.katjakoren.com. You can book me for performances, recording sessions, vocal arrangements, or vocal lessons at info@katjakoren.com.
Usually I perform with my band or in duo (jazz, soul, contemporary), and I am the lead singer of the Balkan band Čarşija LA (world).
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, it’s connecting people, that feeling of belonging, and the healing that happens through music and storytelling.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
There are a few books that help me stay authentic. Marshall Rosenberg: Nonviolent Communication; Carlos Castaneda: The Teachings of Don Juan; Michael Newton: Journey of Souls; Don Miguel Ruiz: Four Agreements and Eckhart Tolle: The Power of Now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katjakoren.com
- Instagram: @katjakorenom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katjakorenmusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjakorenmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@katjakoren
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/katjakoren
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@katjakoren137
Image Credits
1. Matija Leonardi
2. Eurovision.com
3. RTVSlo.com
4. RTVSlo.com
5. ImagoSloveniae.net
6. Next Door Lounge
7. Maja Slavec
8. Alina Lavrova
9. personal archive (shot from the music video Phoenix)