ABOUT GINA KRONSTADT

Anyone who appreciates music - in all its artful, commercial, and applicable forms – would be spellbound by the rich career tapestry woven by multifaceted musician Gina Kronstadt.

Throughout an enviable 47-year violin career – from the late `70s to the 2020s – she worked blissfully and steadily as an A-list violinist within Hollywood’s classical, studio, concert, film and television scenes. She realized what, for many, is purely the fantasy of the seasoned American musician’s work schedule. Marinating in all genres and styles of music from highbrow to pop art, Gina earned the hard-won respect of major producers, arrangers and contractors for her flawless abilities to deliver whatever the music at hand demanded.

Surrounded day in/day out by the crème de la crème of music creatives, as well as heeding the beat of her own artistic heart, Gina additionally pursues her gifts as a vocalist, songwriter, performer, producer, and arranger. She has recorded four acclaimed albums and a bonus single of her own compositions…and one special cover. In this realm, the lady is a dream weaver…sharing deeply personal and universally inspiring pieces of music chronicling the romantic episodes of her life, the emotional musings each chapter stirred, as well as heartfelt pleas for the people of this planet to unite in peace before there is no time left to right the wrongs.

To her confessional and capricious lyrical offerings, the sound of Gina’s music seamlessly blends the precision of classical, the depth of jazz, the salve of Latin rhythms, the soul of Rhythm & Blues and the broad appeal of popular music. In other words, her music is an all-natural amalgam of everything she has played professionally, studied as a student, and marinated in as an ardent listener.

Raleigh, North Carolina-native Gina Kronstadt grew up in Salt Lake City with her parents and two sisters. When she was 10, her mom and dad purchased a violin for their daughter whose obsession with classical music began as a small child.

“Music was all I thought or cared about from the time I was very young,” Gina remembers. “In a way, violin chose me. I had let my parents know I'd like to play violin or flute. That night, they went out and came back with a violin. It wasn't until my mother walked in the door with a violin case that I realized I really wanted to play flute! I can't even imagine that now.”

Gina also plays mandolin and, of course, mastered fundamentals of music on piano which she uses to write songs, construct rhythm, horn and string arrangements, and play simple classical pieces.

Gina’s official crossover of interest in music beyond classical happened in her first year of college. “At 19, I was concertmaster for the orchestra but also joined the jazz band with a cellist - playing amplified strings with the amazing big band. I started taking theory and composition classes then, too. That creativity fed me, and I never looked back. I loved, and still love, playing many genres. Every genre has its place and purpose and I'm here for it all.”

After graduating from Westminster College via The University of Utah where she studied music theory with Dr. William Fowler and jazz composition with Ladd McIntosh – Gina relocated to Los Angeles at the suggestion of Hollywood composing/conducting legend, Patrick Williams. Her very first call to play violin for a motion picture was with Lalo Schifrin. Of the hundreds of film scores she has played on, there is a special place in her heart for the scores of the biographical drama Pollock (scored by Jeff Beal), the historical period piece The Help (scored by Thomas Newman), the inspirational animated films Up and Ratatouille (both scored by Michael Giacchino) and the heart-racing action thriller Mission: Impossible III (a collaborative score between originator Lalo Schifrin with orchestrations by Michael Giacchino).

Where Hollywood is defined by makers of movies, it also was once dotted with recording studios where an overwhelming majority of pop songs – particularly chart-topping hit records were created. Gina fit into this world like a snug silk glove as well, adding her vivacious violin playing to the slow jams and dance floor fillers of everyone’s memories. She is especially fond of the work she did in the late `70s on soulful gems such as the heartbreaking “After the Love is Gone” by the dynamic Earth Wind and Fire, the seductive “Rock With You” by King of Pop Michael Jackson, the euphoric “And The Beat Goes On” by beloved vocal quintet The Whispers, and the super sexy “This Is For The Lover In You” immortalized by the short-lived classic edition of vocal trio Shalamar. “That era is really where the true glow is for me,” Gina confesses.

Other artists for whom Gina played on record dates include Nina Simone, Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, George Harrison, Barbara Streisand, Nancy Wilson, Elton John, Charlie Haden, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Aerosmith, Dr. John, Beyoncé, Usher, Taylor Swift, Chris Botti, Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, Harvey Mason, Ronnie Laws, Outkast and others. Among the arrangers she worked with were Alan Broadbent, Vince Mendoza, Jorge Calandrelli, David Campbell, Tom Tom 84, Paul Buckmaster, Gene Page and Benjamin Wright.

Equally dazzling were unforgettable nights of concerts playing behind Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, James Brown, Carrie Underwood, David Sanborn, Deep Purple and more. Also, the reality TV shows that use live bands such as “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “X-Factor” and “America’s Got Talent.” There were many evenings spent at NBC on the set of “The Tonight Show” where she’s backed artists such as Placido Domingo, Garth Brooks and John Mayer. Plus, all the award shows – from the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and American Music Awards to the Soul Train Awards and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Though Gina had initially led several bands for fun, in the back of her mind, she always thought she might craft her own albums and take them to the stage. And why not? She’s a beautiful professional whose love life provides her many stories to tell. She has always been a versatile rebel in an industry where many artists were warned to stick to one path. A passionate and restless spirit who remains popular among her peers. And most importantly: her ceaselessly creative inner muse demanded it.

Reflecting back on taking this tremendous leap forward, Gina states, “Being the singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, leader - all of it – is more challenging than just showing up, taking my chair in the violin section, playing what's on the page, and leaving! But it was an easy slide into the recording studio doing my own music because the studio has always been a comfort zone for me. However, the live performances were not so seamless. It definitely took me a few shows not to be shaking in my stilettos! But once I get started, there's no place I'd rather be. Live performance is as real as it gets. Every note, every phrase, the energy, and physical presence to consider. Having worked on so many shows with so many amazing artists helps me tremendously. We’re all sponges, especially creatives. I know that I've absorbed a lot of great lessons along the way.”

Gina recorded her first album, Walk My Way, in 1990, which was pressed with artwork in 1997 yet initially went unreleased for multiple reasons. The first of her albums to wow the public was the mood-drenched Come Over, released in 2013 on her own Fall Off Records label. This delectable project showcased a so-called ‘new artist’ already in possession of her own signature sound on titles such as “Magic,” “That Night,” “Turn Around” and…“Twitter Stole My Boyfriend.” Legendary Quiet Storm radio broadcaster Lawrence Tanter in Los Angeles said of the CD, “The captivating energy of progressive vocals married with world-class musicians makes this entry a fresh addition to any collection. Gina's voice penetrates the lyrics and envelopes a soothing feeling the moment the sound emanates from your speakers. You feel the passion immediately.” Support and success in several major markets at jazz radio resulted in Gina finally releasing her initial album, Walk My Way, proving that she had what it takes, artistically speaking, 23 years prior.

Many performances followed to promote her work at some of the hippest rooms in Southern California, such as The Baked Potato, Vibrato, Vitello’s, The Blue Whale, Bogie’s, and Club 1881.

Following a one-off single, “That Way” in 2016, that demanded to be released immediately after conception, Kronstadt came back four years later in 2020 with an ever-so-worth-the-wait follow-up album, evocatively entitled October Comes Too Soon. Highlights include “A Simple Man,” “The Threat of Love” “Forever in a Row,” the haunting title track, and the galvanizing message song “Who’ll Save You” (promoted with a powerful video). 2020’s October Comes Too Soon a breakthrough for her at smooth jazz radio, was especially poignant for Gina because creating it in 2019 doubled as emotional therapy as she was going through a frightening time both personally and professionally. She’d recently lost her mother and a sister. And her very livelihood was at stake as she was out of commission for 8 months recuperating from two shoulder surgeries - sometimes leading to her not being able to ply her craft.

That “sometimes” sadly arrived at Gina having to retire from playing violin altogether in 2023 – a devastating blow for all that it had contributed to the essence of her very existence. This harsh reality initially inspired her to author a short poem, “The Leopard Prints,” and, later, the song “i don’t know.”

For a while, Gina didn’t know whether “i don’t know” would ever be heard or recorded. However, the irrepressible ‘fire inside’ found her making yet another album, writing and singing with friends old and new under the moniker, The Kronstadt Collective. This album is titled Feel Something (2025), featuring the title track (inspired by the Andy Warhol documentary, “The Warhol Diaries”), “tenderBox,” “Favorite,” and “SHINE,” plus TWO versions of disco icon Sylvester’s classic “(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real” which brought Gina to the attention of a whole new audience - fitting for a song emanating from her “glow era” of the late `70s.

Gina’s second most valuable coping mechanism through all her ups and downs has been dance, (especially ballet), which she has practiced off and on since age 10 (the same time she took up violin). She calls the art form her “spirit animal” for which she has installed a ballet barre and rubber flooring in her office.

Today, there are so many more musicians – especially women – wholeheartedly embracing unlimited lives in music that are more high profile and respected than ever. “It's about the artist, the vision, the confidence and focus to bring the vision into fruition,” Gina shares, beaming with applause. “I find that people care too much about what others think and that can be a death sentence. I say, ‘Go Do You,’ and simply be your amazing self. We are all unique. Find your lane, stay focused, give 100%, and you and your audience will find one another!”

As an artist who has often sworn that her most recent project – after all the blood, sweat, tears and triumphs – would be her last, Gina Kronstadt always discovers more that she wants to do, say and/or play. This is dually great for her and outstanding for all who know or will get to know the blessing of her creations.

“My artistry is a culmination of a lifetime embracing every style of music,” the longtime San Fernando Valley resident Kronstadt concludes. “My main challenge was figuring out when to step back or to the side and put on a different hat. In the end, I realized I needed to just keep that Creative hat on and not look back, lessons learned and appreciated from my musical heroes Jerry Hey and Quincy Jones.”

“If I were to leave this realm today, I'd be very proud of and completely content with my accomplishments - not feeling that I wish I had done more. No question about that. But do I feel done? No. I want to milk this beautiful creative ride for as long as I’m allowed.”

by A. Scott Galloway
April 2026

SHORT BIO - GINA KRONSTADT

Gina Kronstadt is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, arranger and producer with a storyteller's eye and a composer's ear. Known for intimate lyrics, elegant melodies and a quietly magnetic vocal presence, she writes songs that feel like unguarded late-night conversations, as well as some pure afternoon delights.

Her work lives at the crossroads of modern pop with jazz inflections, and a West Coast soul: sophisticated without pretense emotional without excess.

Raised in a world where music was both discipline and refuge, Gina began studying violin at the age of 10, and went on to having a 47 year career in the studios working on records, TV and film for the top artists, composers, arrangers and producers in the business.

She also has released 4 projects and a single as a singer-songwriter, arranger and producer.

Her projects lead with restraint and connection rather than volume, drawing listeners closer with conversational phrasing and subtle tension of lines that resolve just a breath later than you expect.

In the studio, she favors first-take honesty: live rhythm sections, organic keys, and strings that can carry emotional weight.

Lyrically, Gina writes about her life experiences. Her songs orbit resilience, modern love, and the complicated tenderness of starting over. She builds parts that converse with swells and minimalist counter-melodies, always in service of the lyric.

Her recent releases capture the synthesis of singer, writer and arranger. Her productions are warm and tactile, emphasizing voice and song craft with just enough edge to keep the floor moving. Critics and peers alike have praised the balance: the way she can fold a jazz-literate chord into a pop hook.

Kronstadt's work stays rooted in generosity of time, tone and attention.

The destination is connection, the method, craft.