Kristen Waligora
“I believe there is no instrument closer to the heart than the classical guitar. It’s a unique instrument in the way it breathes and gives voice to life’s quiet and ecstatic murmurings in an intimate and sacred way. “For me, classical music is a means to understand and plumb the depths and emotions of what it means to be human. It’s a shared universal consciousness given voice through my prism. This never ending striving and searching for a distillation and clarity is a means for me to connect with myself, the past, the universal, the individual, and the intimate. It’s endlessly fascinating to me. There is a sense of the profound through this connection of doing and sharing. “And it’s you, the listener, who makes this connection complete and worthwhile. ”
Kristen is a multiple award-winning classical guitarist whose recording of “Vincent’s Night” was broadcast worldwide on BBC Radio 3’s program “In Tune” on April 20, 2018. The same recording was also featured on NPR’s program “Classical Guitar Alive!” on April 1, 2018, which broadcasts on 250+ radio stations to reach over one million listeners each week. Ms. Waligora is known for possessing a crystalline technique
that gives her the voice and palate to convey her heartfelt and elegant artistry. Her debut album “In the Night’s Wood” featuring “Vincent’s Night” by Krisitna Avila along with pieces by Ponce, Bach, Baden Powell, Brouwer, and James MacPherson, will launch this Fall 2018.
Kristen 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.
In addition to a solo career, Ms. Waligora’s newest endeavor is with guitarist David Franzen. Their group Duo Tenebroso 
is excited to expand the guitar repertoire by constantly searching out new works as well as transcribing undiscovered classics to create a rich and varied performance experience. The name Duo Tenebroso is inspired by the painting style of Tenebrism which employs extreme contrasts of dark and light, with darkness being the predominant feature to allow a spotlight on the subject. In much the same way, Duo Tenebroso strives to use the language of music to illuminate the spirit. Kristen has a Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance from Portland State University and works/eavesdrops as a court reporter.
