Christian L. Stahr is a Norwegian composer, orchestrator, and music director based in Cary, North Carolina, known for crafting music that fuses emotional storytelling with cinematic depth. Trained in Oslo and New York, his work spans theatre, film, and concert music, uniting classical artistry with a contemporary voice.
A graduate of the University of Oslo, the Norwegian Academy of Music, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Christian began his career in His Majesty the King’s Guard, where he composed, arranged, and performed for the Norwegian Royal Family and government events.
As a music director and orchestrator, Christian has collaborated with leading regional theatres including Burning Coal Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Company, and Raleigh Little Theatre, on productions such as Once, Sunday in the Park with George, A Little Night Music, Merrily We Roll Along, Pippin, Copenhagen, and the long-running Cinderella. He also composed and orchestrated for major cultural events such as the 450th Anniversary Celebration of Fredrikstad City and Åges Danseband’s 10-year Celebration Concert in Symphony at Rockefeller Concert Hall in Oslo.
Recent film and theatre projects include composing for Soneo (pre-production) and Bembe (post-production), both written and directed by Zayre Ferrer. His original musicals — Let’s Be Frank, 4Real, and Olav den Heldige (St. Olaf the Lucky One) — highlight his gift for shaping stories through richly textured music.
From 2018 to 2024, Christian served as Director of Culture at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in New York, curating performances and collaborations that bridged Nordic and American creativity. Now working internationally from his North Carolina studio, he continues to compose, orchestrate, and music direct projects that bring stories to life through sound.