Kathryn Cloward, known professionally as Kathryn the Grape®, is a #1 bestselling author, award-winning songwriter, children’s entertainer, educator, and Certified Social Emotional Character Development Instructor. In 2025, she was named Children’s Music Artist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards in Nashville, one of the highest honors recognizing excellence among independent artists.

In 2010, Kathryn founded Kandon Unlimited, Inc. as an independent media production and publishing company dedicated to creating, owning, and distributing original content with full creative integrity. In 2015, she expanded into music with the launch of Kandon Music, the company’s independent record label and music publishing division.

Through her heart-centered Kathryn the Grape® series, Kathryn brings her childhood nickname to life through uplifting books, original songs, videos, and engaging live performances that support children in building confidence, understanding emotions, and making kind, thoughtful choices.

As part of her commitment to meaningful, real-world impact in education, Kathryn took an intentional sabbatical to serve as a credentialed long-term classroom teacher with San Diego Unified School District from 2022 to 2023. This immersive experience strengthened her expertise in student engagement, instructional practices, and social-emotional learning, while deepening her applied understanding of autism spectrum education.

Kathryn is currently pursuing her Master’s in Education, with a dual certification in Social Emotional Learning and Autism, further expanding her expertise in emotional development and inclusive learning while developing innovative, creative curriculum and tools.

Raised with a heart for helping others, Kathryn has written impact-driven songs for organizations that support children facing cancer, raise awareness for rare diseases, and empower teen refugees, including Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, The National MPS Society, and SAY San Diego.

She was personally invited by San Diego’s humble hero, Father Joe Carroll (1941–2021) to write a book for him. Over two years, she met with him in service of honoring his request and preserving his life story before his passing, ultimately writing and publishing his memoir for teens and adults and a companion children’s songbook, with proceeds supporting families in need.

Kathryn is a Voting Member of the Recording Academy, a multi-time GRAMMY® Awards balloted artist, and the recipient of more than 70 national honors spanning family media excellence and women in business and leadership.