Alf Richard Kraggerud

Alf Richard Kraggerud is a violinist, conductor, and educator. He is regarded as one of the most respected violin teachers and talent developers in the Nordic region and is also a sought-after lecturer and masterclass instructor both in Norway and abroad.

After completing his studies in pedagogy and violin at the Barratt Due Institute of Music (1988–1992), he continued conducting studies with G. Hurst at the Royal Academy of Music and with L. Leonard at Morley College in London. After a brief period as first violinist in the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, he became city conductor in Gjøvik and principal of the local music school (1995–1999). From 1999 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2012, he served as head of Unge Talenter (Young Talents) at the Barratt Due Institute of Music. In 2007, he became the first principal of the Razumovsky Academy in London, but returned to the Barratt Due Institute of Music in 2009.

As a lecturer and masterclass leader, he has taught at the renowned summer course at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, and at Astona International in Switzerland, in addition to several Nordic conservatories and academies. In 2017, Kraggerud received the Lindeman Prize for his significant contributions to Norwegian music education and training.

In 1994, Kraggerud founded the Valdres Summer Symphony, the largest meeting place for classical music talents and a festival that hosts many international performers.

Alf Richard Kraggerud has been affiliated with the Barratt Due Institute of Music as a violin teacher and talent developer since 1991. From 2012 to 2018, he served as Vice-Principal.