Kristina Vårlid: A Leading Guitarist of the New Generation
Kristina Vårlid (b. 1994) from Stavanger, Norway, is already internationally recognized as one of the most exciting classical guitarists of her generation. She has won numerous competitions and awards, including the 1st Prize at the Antwerpen International Guitar Competition 2017, was a finalist and winner of the Koblenz International Guitar Academy Award in 2018, and a finalist at the Tokyo International Guitar Competition 2018. In 2017 she was named the best music student in the Netherlands at the Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours. In 2018 she was added to the prestigious Walk of Fame at Hanze University Groningen.
Kristina is deeply fascinated by the guitar’s wide spectrum of sound possibilities and constantly explores its limits in terms of dynamics, sustain, and color. She approaches music with the belief that everything is possible, shaping her repertoire with creativity and individuality.
She received her first guitar at age six and began lessons at eight. In 2013 she started her bachelor studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Professor Allan Neave. One year later she continued her studies at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen with Sabrina Vlaskalic, graduating in 2017 with the highest mark and cum laude. She then completed the Artist Diploma at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo with Professors Erik Stenstadvold and Otto Tolonen.
Kristina is passionate about performing and thrives on stage, where she forms a strong bond with her audience. She has given solo recitals in major halls such as the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Universitetets Aula Oslo. As a soloist, she has performed with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Kristiansund Sinfonietta, and the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra.
Her debut album “An Idea” was released in May 2019 on Simax Classics and received excellent reviews. She currently teaches at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen.
