Iris Therese Kalliovirta

Iris Therese Kalliovirta began playing the cello at the age of seven and currently studies with Ole Eirik Ree at Barratt Due Institute of Music. She joined Barratt Due’s Young Talents programme at the age of ten and has been a member of its Junior Orchestra since she was thirteen.

Iris is also an active chamber musician and a member of the Saphir Quartet, which has won several first prizes and performed at numerous festivals. In May 2024, the Saphir Quartet won the Gold Medal in the Junior Strings Division at the 51st Annual Fischoff Competition.

Iris has competed in many competitions and has been awarded several first prizes in Ungdommens musikkmesterskap, as well as the Inspiration Prize at the Midgard Competition. In 2021, she received a scholarship from the Tove Sinding-Larsen Memorial Fund in support of her continued studies.