Fred Holmlund | Guitar

Fred Holmlund, born and raised in Boden in northern Sweden, is a dedicated classical guitarist known for his work as both a soloist and chamber musician. He performs in various ensembles, including the Fred Holmlund Trio, Talos Guitar Duo, and Duo Avaa. With a deep passion for the guitar’s genre-crossing potential, Fred committed early on to pursuing a career centered around the instrument. This dedication led him to years of intensive study at prestigious music institutions across Sweden and Denmark, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from the Royal Danish Academy of Music. He has also studied in Germany with Hubert Käppel and holds both a master’s degree and a diploma from Malmö Academy of Music.

Throughout his career, Fred has performed on stages in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, earning recognition for his technical versatility and his ability to create music that goes beyond the ordinary. As a soloist, he has performed Concierto de Aranjuez with Malmö Symphony Orchestra (2024), Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint, and gave the Scandinavian premiere of Sergio Assad’s The Walls at the Uppsala Guitar Festival in 2020.

Although classical music remains Fred’s greatest passion, he has also explored Swedish pop music in depth. Committed to keeping music alive and evolving, he has arranged Ted Gärdestad’s songs for solo guitar and frequently incorporates them into his performances. In 2024, he recorded his debut album, featuring his own arrangements of Gärdestad’s music.

Alongside his performing career, Fred balances freelance work with teaching guitar at a music school, sharing his expertise and passion with the next generation of musicians.