About
Kristen Waligora is a multiple award-winning classical guitarist whose recordings have been featured by Classical Guitar Magazine, BBC Radio 3's In Tune, and NPR's Classical Guitar Alive!
Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine for her "crisp and lyrical execution" and thoughtful musicianship, Waligora has been recognized for performances that balance technical precision with expressive depth. Reviewing In the Night's Wood, the magazine described the album as "both dreamily introspective and filled with passion."
As a soloist, Waligora has championed both traditional and contemporary repertoire, premiering new works and appearing as a concerto soloist in Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto in G Major for Two Guitars, Strings and Continuo with guitarist David Franzen and the Portland State University Symphony. She has also appeared as a featured soloist with tenor Oliver Mercer, the Willamette Master Chorus, and the Portland State University Guitar Orchestra in the world premieres of several works by composer Bryan Johanson.
Waligora previously performed with guitarist David Franzen as Duo Tenebroso, whose acclaimed recording was featured by Classical Guitar Magazine and NPR's Classical Guitar Alive!.
Beyond the concert stage, Waligora is an educator, composer, and visual artist.
She is the co-creator of The Intentional Guitarist, alongside David Franzen, an educational platform dedicated to helping guitarists develop technical mastery, deepen their musical understanding, and cultivate expressive artistry through thoughtful, intentional practice.
Kristen seeks to create work that is both thoughtfully crafted and deeply expressive. At the heart of her creative practice is a belief that curiosity is one of our greatest teachers, inviting deeper understanding, more meaningful expression, and lifelong artistic growth.