Kristian Kvalvaag is a Norwegian classical guitarist who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on May 22, 1989, in Oslo, Norway, Kvalvaag grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a guitarist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Kvalvaag was exposed to music and began playing the guitar at the age of six. Kvalvaag's talent for the guitar was evident from an early age, and he began taking lessons from some of the best guitar teachers in Norway. He quickly progressed and began performing in public at the age of nine. By the time he was a teenager, Kvalvaag was already an accomplished guitarist, and he began competing in national and international competitions. In 2007, Kvalvaag won first prize in the Norwegian National Guitar Competition, which was a significant achievement for him. This win opened up many doors for him, and he began performing in concerts and festivals all over Norway. He also began studying at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance in 2012. After completing his studies, Kvalvaag continued to perform and compete in international competitions. In 2013, he won first prize in the International Guitar Competition in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic. This win was a significant achievement for Kvalvaag, as it was one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world. Kvalvaag's success in competitions led to many opportunities to perform in concerts and festivals all over the world. He has performed in countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and the United States. He has also performed with some of the most renowned orchestras in Norway, including the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Kvalvaag's most significant achievements was his performance at the 2016 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. This competition is one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world, and Kvalvaag was one of only six guitarists selected to compete. He performed in the final round of the competition in Denver, Colorado, and was awarded second prize. Kvalvaag's success in competitions and performances has earned him many accolades and awards. In addition to his wins in national and international competitions, he has also received several grants and scholarships to support his music studies and performances. He was awarded the prestigious Statoil Talent Scholarship in 2011, which is given to young Norwegian artists who show exceptional talent and promise. Kvalvaag's repertoire includes a wide range of classical guitar music, from Baroque to contemporary. He is particularly interested in the music of Spanish and Latin American composers, and has performed works by composers such as Joaquín Rodrigo, Manuel Ponce, and Leo Brouwer. He has also commissioned and premiered new works by Norwegian composers, including Bjørn Bolstad Skjelbred and Kjell Mørk Karlsen. In addition to his performing career, Kvalvaag is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught guitar at the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Barratt Due Institute of Music, and has given masterclasses and workshops all over the world. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with young guitarists and helping them to develop their skills and talents.

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