Kristina Vårlid

Kristina Vårlid (b. 1994) from Stavanger, Norway, is already an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist after winning several competitions and awards. Among them are 1st prize in Antwerpen International Guitar Competition 2017, the Koblenz International Guitar Academy Award at the Koblenz International Guitar Competition 2018 and named best music student in The Netherlands in 2017 when she won Grachtenfestival Conservatorium concours. In 2018 she became a part of the prestigious «Walk of Fame» at the Hanze University in Groningen.
Kristina is really fascinated by the big variety of sound you can produce with the guitar and likes to explore and go beyond its limitations in dynamic, sustain and colours. As a musician she looks at music thinking everything is possible, discovering new ideas with a creative approach to her repertoire and make it her own.
She got her first guitar when she was 6 years old, and started lessons at the age of 8. In 2013 she started her bachelor at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland studying with professor Allan Neave. In 2014 she continued at the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, The Netherlands, with Sabrina Vlaskalic as her teacher, completing her bachelor degree in 2017 with the highest mark and cum laude. Kristina has continued her studies in Oslo with the artist diploma degree (diplomstudiet) at the Norwegian Academy of Music with professors Erik Stenstadvold and Otto Tolonen.
Kristina is very passionate about performing and thrives being on stage where she feels a very strong connection with the audience. She has performed in several major halls including The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Kristina Vårlid has also performed as a soloist with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, as well as performances on national TV and radio in The Netherlands.