“A guitar has moonlight in it.”
Kristen is a multiple award-winning classical guitarist whose 2019 debut album In the Night’s Wood has been featured on Classical Guitar Magazine, BBC Radio 3's program "In Tune," as well as NPR's program "Classical Guitar Alive!" which broadcasts on 250+ radio stations to reach over one million listeners each week.
Ms. Waligora is known for her crisp and lyrical execution with a warm, gorgeous tone, while possessing a crystalline technique that gives her the voice and palate to convey her heartfelt and elegant artistry.
The “Prelude” from Bach’s Lute Suite No. IV (BWV 1006A) arguably the best-known work here—a Bach “greatest hit” if I can be so crass, and as I like to say, popular for a reason: It’s wonderfully infectious, but as a musician, you better be able to instantly jump into its complicated flow and play it precisely if you’re going to tackle it. Waligora does, and it makes for a splendid mood elevator on a disc that leans (just a bit) toward the darkly cerebral.
…The album is full of those sorts of contrasts, and Waligora has done a great job of putting together a diverse program that is both dreamily introspective and filled with passion.
- Classical Guitar Magazine
In addition to being a soloist, Ms. Waligora's newest endeavor is with guitarist David Franzen. Their group Duo Tenebroso is one of the premiere emerging classical guitar duos on the scene. Their critically-acclaimed debut album from 2018 has been featured on NPR as well as Classical Guitar Magazine.
Ms. Waligora has premiered many new works including a performance in the world premiere of the opera Buck Jones with a guitar part written for her. Kristen has performed with David Franzen as a soloist in Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto in G Major for Two Guitars, Strings and Continuo with the Portland State University Symphony under maestro Keith Clark. She also performed as a soloist with tenor Oliver Mercer on the opening night of the 2002 Bel Canto Northwest Festival and was a featured soloist with the Willamette Men’s Master Chorus under maestro Dr. Paul Klemme.
While attending PSU, Ms. Waligora performed as head soloist with the PSU Guitar Orchestra in the world premiere of Bryan Johanson’s Concerto Grosso as well as performing the first guitar part in the world premiere of his Little Suite for Guitar Orchestra and Toccata for Guitar Orchestra.
Kristen has a Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance from Portland State University and works/eavesdrops as a court reporter.