Who am I? 👋
I like to call myself Cimbalom Guy. #cimbalomguy ❤️🌍🎵
My official name is Matej Cip, and I am a cimbalom performer and pioneer from the Czech Republic. I am currently living in the United States, where I had the fortune to become the first cimbalom student at the university level in 2018. This life-changing experience has allowed me to share the true potential of the cimbalom with a global audience.
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How it all started? 🚀
At the age of 8, I first saw and heard the cimbalom, and it didn't take long for me to develop a lifelong passion for this instrument.
Grateful for my mentors. 🧑🏫
The Czech Republic offers an artistically-centered education system, accessible to nearly every child interested in the arts. I joined this system and learned cimbalom fundamentals under the guidance of renowned Czech cimbalom professor, Ruzena Decka. At 15, I was accepted into the Janacek Conservatory of Music in Ostrava, where I studied under world-famous cimbalomist and composer Daniel Skala.
This education enabled me to become a cimbalom teacher within the Czech music education system, but my immense curiosity led me to dream about studying in the United States.
First cimbalom student at the university level in the US? 🛠🇺🇸
"I did not ask for approval. Instead, I kept believing in the cimbalom's potential until the world accepted me."
My belief did not allow me to give up 🙏
Despite no US universities offering a cimbalom major, I was determined to establish new academic grounds for the instrument. After extensive research and communication with top US universities, Dr. Marcela Faflak connected me with Northern State University, where I became the first cimbalom student in the US. I found my place in the percussion department and sought feedback from professors in other music departments to best integrate the cimbalom.
Introducing the cimbalom to the American academic level has provided me with numerous opportunities to share the art of the cimbalom with diverse audiences. I've organized concerts and lectures, performed with orchestras, and commissioned a new piece for the cimbalom by renowned American composer, Anthony Plog.
Layover in Beijing 🀄️
I fell in love with Chinese music and culture and recorded a video about bringing the cimbalom to China and learning about the Chinese version called Yangqin. My initiative led me to China's top music school, the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
In China, I studied under Dr. Liu Yuening, a renowned performer, professor, and ambassador for Chinese music and culture. Our collaboration established new connections between the Western cimbalom and the Eastern yangqin, making the dulcimer family more globally connected.
The rest is history 🔜
Thank you for your interest! I'm excited to announce that I'm working on a new and important project that I can't wait to share with you. In the meantime, please enjoy my cimbalom music library and subscribe for updates on upcoming projects and ideas. Your support means a lot to me!
High-five with cimbalom mallets from Cimbalom Guy. ❤️
Want to know more? 🔍
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