"Her play and
personality
impress
in equal
measure"
- German press
Biography
«Passionate player and rigorous respecting the musical rules; her patience, perfectionism, dedication, and wish to improve make a perfect combination to achieve the highest level of excellence … a big heart and a person determined to make her dreams come true.»
RICARDO GALLEN
Already at a young age, Valeria Galimova showed her originality and tremendous talent as a guitarist. At the age of 14, and as a student in a Russian music school, Valeria was invited to serve as an artist and a jury member at an international children's festival competition in Puebla, Mexico.
Valeria was born in Russia and began to study classical guitar at the age of 8 with her first teacher, Dmitry Milovanov at the music school №1 in the city of Kamensk-Uralsky. During this period, she was a 5-time scholarship winner awarded by the mayor of the city.
At the age of 17, Valeria entered the Gnessin College in Moscow, where she studied with Roman Zorkin and Anastasia Bardina. In 2019, she graduated from the Russian Academy of Gnessin as a student of Prof. Artyom Dervoed.
During the years of her professional activity, she was awarded one of the Prizes of the President of Russia and won the gold medal at the Delphic Games in 2014. She has also won 10 first prizes at both Russian and international competitions.
Valeria is a versatile and expressive guitarist whose artistry spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performances.
Her career includes collaborations with distinguished musicians, conductors, and ensembles, as well as participation in major international festivals and innovative theatrical productions.
Equally passionate about classical traditions and contemporary interpretations, she brings depth and originality to every performance. Beyond the stage, Valeria is dedicated to sharing her expertise through educational projects, inspiring the next generation of musicians. Her artistry, technical mastery, and unique musical voice continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
She has captivated audiences across Europe, performing on prestigious stages in cities such as Yerevan, Moscow, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Split, Granada, Madrid, Paris, and Vilnius.
She actively collaborates with contemporary composers, expanding the guitar repertoire with new and innovative works. Notably, esteemed composers such as Sergio Assad, Thomas Fellow, Mathias Duplessy, Niccolo Neri, and Ricardo Gallén have dedicated pieces to her, recognizing her expressive and distinctive approach to the instrument.
In July 2022, Valeria earned her master’s degree with highest honors from the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany, studying under the renowned Prof. Ricardo Gallén.
The following month, she further expanded her artistic journey by completing a guitar-making course at Pavel Gavruyshov’s Guitarrería in Granada, where she crafted her own instrument—deepening her connection to the guitar beyond performance.
Since 2024, Valeria has been a classical guitar mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy (Armenia), a charitable organization dedicated to supporting young musicians. As a mentor, she helps nurture Armenia’s emerging talents by guiding them in refining their technical and artistic skills. Several times a year, she visits the academy to lead masterclasses and lectures, sharing her expertise and inspiring the next generation of guitarists.
In addition to this, In June 2023 Valeria completed a certificate course in a music physiology. She lectures and gives workshops internationally.
Currently, Valeria is doing her postgraduate degree at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music, Prof. Thomas Fellow.
She is engaged in the development of her career. She performs at various concerts and festivals as a soloist, as well as part of chamber ensembles. Aside from that, she teaches, gives masterclasses and lectures worldwide.
Valeria plays the guitar by luthier Paco Santiago Marin. 50 Anniversary.
Since 2021 Valeria Galimova is a Knobloch Artist.