Praised in the New York Times for his versatility, Kivie Cahn-Lipman is the founding cellist of the International Contemporary Ensemble, founder and lironist of baroque string band ACRONYM, co-founder and gambist of the viol consorts LeStrange and Science Ficta, and founder and director of Celtic classical/folk band Makaris.
He appears on more than fifty recordings on labels including Nonesuch, Kairos, and ECM, and his recording of the complete Cello Suites of J.S. Bach was lauded for its "eloquent performances," "fresh thinking," and "energy and zeal" (The Strad). His most recent album, Sumna, consists largely of solo works which he commissioned and premiered. As a chamber musician, he has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and other major venues on five continents.
Kivie holds degrees from Oberlin, Juilliard, and the University of Cincinnati, and he has served on the faculties of Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, The College of New Jersey, and Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music. He additionally teaches each summer in Tuscany at the Cortona Sessions for New Music.