Kathryn Cloward, known professionally as Kathryn the Grape®, is a #1 bestselling author, award-winning songwriter, children's entertainer, educator, media executive, entrepreneur, and Certified Social-Emotional Character Development Instructor. In 2025, she was honored as Children's Music Artist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards in Nashville and is a Voting Member of the Recording Academy and multi-time GRAMMY®-balloted artist.

Kathryn's career has been guided by a lifelong commitment to leading by example through service, entrepreneurship, education, and the arts. Her leadership and mentorship have been recognized with honors including the 79th District Woman of Distinction Arts Award, the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Women in Leadership Award, and the Women Changing the World Inspirational Woman Award.

In 2010, Kathryn founded Kandon Unlimited, Inc., an independent media production and publishing company dedicated to creating, owning, and distributing original content with complete creative integrity. She expanded into music with the launch of Kandon Music in 2015 and founded SELebrating Music™ in 2026, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing youth success through music, art, storytelling, social-emotional learning, character development, and shared experiences that help children and families thrive.

Through her heart-centered Kathryn the Grape® books, songs, videos, and live performances, Kathryn creates joyful learning experiences that help youth build confidence, understand emotions, strengthen relationships, and make kind, responsible choices that support lifelong well-being.

Committed to bridging education with creative media, Kathryn took an intentional sabbatical from 2022 to 2023 to serve as a credentialed long-term classroom teacher with San Diego Unified School District. This experience strengthened her expertise in student engagement, inclusive education, autism support, and the practical application of social-emotional learning in today's classrooms.

Kathryn is currently pursuing a Master's in Education with dual certification in Social-Emotional Learning and Autism, further expanding her research-informed practice while developing innovative educational resources that empower youth, families, educators, and communities.

Kathryn has generously donated her time, creative expertise, and resources to writing and publishing mission-driven books and songs supporting organizations including Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, The National MPS Society, and SAY San Diego. In 2019, San Diego's Father Joe Carroll (1941–2021) personally asked Kathryn to write his life story. She devoted more than two years to honoring his request, writing and publishing both his memoir for teens and adults and a companion Kathryn the Grape® story and songbook for children, released on his 80th birthday. Fittingly, the signature purple outfit that inspired Kathryn the Grape® was purchased decades earlier by her mother at the original St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, now known as Father Joe's Villages, making the collaboration a meaningful full-circle moment.

Today, Kathryn continues to unite entertainment, education, and purpose through a shared mission of advancing youth success by helping children build confidence, character, emotional well-being, and healthy relationships that strengthen families, communities, and the future.