Kristian Del Cantero

Story

Born in Hamilton in 1998, Kristian Del Cantero is a Canadian guitarist whose performances and studies have taken him across North America and Europe. He has won top prizes in major international guitar competitions throughout Europe, United States, and Canada. He completed his bachelor degree in music performance at the Conservatory of Amsterdam under the direction of renowned french pedagogue and guitarist Gabriel Bianco. ​ As a performer, Kristian has captivated audiences in major concert halls throughout the world, playing a wide range of music for a majority of audiences. Kristian received first prize at the 2016 edition of the Antwerpen Guitar Festival and Competition in Belgium, where he was invited back the next year to perform a solo recital. Additionally, Kristian has won 1st prize in over 20+ festivals and competitions in National Competitions in Canada, including the Guitare Montreal International Youth Competition, and the OMFA 2017 Artists Competition. He has performed in renowned spaces such as the Mikowsky Hall in New York City, Sweelinckzaal in Amsterdam, Mazzoleni Concert Hall in Toronto, Oscar Peterson Hall in Montreal, The Sanderson Centre in Brantford, and Louis P. Ciminelli Recital Hall in Buffalo, among others. Kristian studied for 4 summers on scholarship at the Aspen Music Festival and School under the tutelage of Sharon Isbin. ​ Apart from giving concerts, Kristian is also very passionate about composing and teaching. Kristian currently plays on a 2016 double-top cedar guitar by luthier Patrick Mailloux.

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Languages

What is music to you? What does it give you?

I am a classical guitarist and composer primarily. I studied guitar performance at the Amsterdam Conservatory under the instruction of Gabriel Bianco (International touring classical guitarist and Guitar Foundation of America Winner). I have been composing for different instruments all my life. Why am I here? I am in a creative season where I want to explore my musical compositions and ideas with other musicians. Looking for musicians who have a great attention to detail. Open to organising small salon style concerts/other performance ideas. kristiandelcantero.com patreon.com/kristiandelcantero youtube.com/kristiandelcantero instagram.com/kristiandelcantero facebook.com/kristiandelcantero

What is your music dream?

I wish to have a stable concert career, as well as be able to teach and record albums.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

More concerts.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Stairway to Heaven

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

All things Classical

What inspires you to make music?

life experience and pain

What is the message you want to send with your music?

I like my music to be open interpretation and not force a message on others. Rather, be a conduit for others to be transformed.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Its the most important thing in life for me.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

I don't get into politics.

What do you think of Drooble?

This is my first time.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

people not listening carefully.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I attend concerts of my colleagues.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

its different for everyone.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Alexander Scriabin, Glenn Gould, Grigory Sokolov, Gabriel Bianco