Orchestra

Kristīne Balanas

Kristīne Balanas is a Latvian violinist internationally acclaimed for her “eye-popping virtuosity” (The Times) and “savage, bold, dramatic playing” (The Strad). A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin, she has established herself as one of the leading violinists of her generation.

Balanas has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, WDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with distinguished conductors such as Jukka-Pekka Saraste, James Gaffigan, Tarmo Peltokoski, Andris Poga, and Ainārs Rubiķis. She regularly appears at major international concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Australia, and Asia.
In 2025, Kristīne Balanas signed an exclusive recording contract with Decca Classics. Together with her sister, cellist Margarita Balanas, she released Pēteris Vasks’ Castillo Interior, marking the beginning of their collaboration with the label. A recipient of numerous international awards, including Latvia’s Grand Music Award for Young Artist of the Year, Kristīne is also committed to bringing classical music to wider audiences through engaging and accessible performances.