Margaret Martin Kvamme is a Canadian-born musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area who performs as a solo artist, with special interest in thematic programming and promoting the works of female composers. Kvamme won first prize in the 1993 Naples International Organ Festival Competition in Florida. Solo organ engagements have taken her to her native Ontario, Canada, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Quebec. She has played on the guest recital series at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco; Stanford University’s Memorial Church; the Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and at Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Massachusetts. The nationally syndicated public radio program, Pipedreams has included Kvamme’s performances in multiple episodes.

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A versatile presenter, Kvamme speaks and instructs on various topics and has delivered workshops at several regional American Guild of Organists conventions. She is passionate about introducing young people to the pipe organ and regularly gives informational, hands-on presentations to students.

Four of Kvamme’s private organ students have won the San Jose AGO Chapter Frasier Scholarship, and one was an AGO Quimby Regional Competition winner. She has held university choral director positions, first as Director of Choral Activities at Marygrove College in Detroit and later as Director of the Concert Choir at the University of California at Santa Cruz where she also taught theory and conducting courses. She currently maintains an active private studio of piano, organ and theory students.

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Ms. Kvamme is an honors graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, holds the Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and Master of Music degrees in Organ Performance and Choral Conducting from the University of Michigan. Her studies at the organ have been with David Craighead, Robert Glasgow, David Higgs, David Palmer and Sandra Soderlund. 

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Her debut solo album, Sevenfold Gifts, was released by the Albany label in 2007 and was recorded on the 1898 Felgemaker organ at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz. The American Record Guide called the recording “... beautifully [played] by a sensitive and creative artist” and “an interesting program well played on an exquisite instrument”. The album is available on Amazon, Albany Records, Spotify, and Apple Music. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms. Kvamme recorded all 46 of the Orgelbüchlein chorales of J. S. Bach; these can be heard on her YouTube channel. 

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