Gaelle Solal

Gaëlle Solal is a French classical guitarist renowned for her extraordinary passion, virtuosity, and versatility. Born in Marseille in 1978, she began studying guitar at age 5 and earned three gold medals at the Conservatoire de Marseille by age 14, including the Prix de la Ville de Marseille. She later studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, Hochschule für Musik Köln, and Université du Québec à Montréal, training under notable figures like Roberto Aussel, Alvaro Pierri, and Leo Brouwer.

Solal has performed in over 40 countries, including the United States, Japan, Spain, Germany, and Brazil and at prestigious venues such as Salle Cortot (Paris), Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), and Merkin Concert Hall (NYC). She has collaborated with orchestras like the Berkeley Symphony, Garde Républicaine Orchestra, and Philharmonic of Turin. A 1998 winner of the City of Alessandria Competition — the first French woman to win — she also earned second prize at the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Competition in 2006.

Her career took a transformative turn after an impromptu trip to Brazil in 2009, leading her to leave teaching and embrace a broader artistic identity. She co-founded the comedic duo Crazy Nails! with Boris Gaquere, blending classical guitar with clowning, improvisation, and pop music. She also founded Guitar’Elles, an initiative promoting women in guitar music.

Solal will perform at St. Louis Classical Guitar on April 18, 2026, at Salem United Methodist Church, followed by a masterclass on April 19. She resides in Brussels and is an active performer, educator, and advocate for artistic freedom and gender equality in classical music.