Her guitar loves, complains, hisses, is hurt and amused. Whether as a solo artist or in an ensemble: Irene Kalisvaart impresses with her richness of nuances and exciting yet empathic flair. Born in the Netherlands, her passion is in interpreting the classics of the concert guitar with virtuosity and panache. Numerous international prizes and awards are the results of a deep wellspring of enthusiasm combined with hard work. Her open approach to music making spans the spectrum from baroque arrangements, new music, and even forays into techno, bluegrass and singer/songwriter. Irene Kalisvaart was awarded the highest prize at the National Competition for Young Guitarists in Amsterdam at the age of seventeen. She studied with Jorge Oraison in Rotterdam, and continued with Ansgar Krause and Hubert Käppel at the Musikhochschule Köln where she finished her studies with distinction. She then went on to complete the “Concert exam” with Hubert Käppel in 2001. In between and thereafter she received numerous scholarships, international prizes and awards. All pictures by Christian Palm.