Praised in the New York Times for his versatility, KIVIE CAHN-LIPMAN is the founder and lironist of baroque string band ACRONYM, co-founder and gambist of the viol consorts LeStrange and Science Ficta, founder and director of Celtic classical/folk band Makaris, and founding cellist of the International Contemporary Ensemble. 

Kivie appears on more than sixty recordings on labels including Nonesuch, Kairos, BIS, 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 own early-music label, Olde Focus Recordings, has released more than twenty-five albums largely comprising first recordings of works which he transcribed from manuscript. 

As a chamber musician, Kivie has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and other major venues on five continents. ACRONYM has presented at the Boston Early Music Festival since 2019, with additional festival performances in Utrecht (Netherlands), and upcoming in Regensburg (Germany).  

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 is currently Associate Professor of Music (Cello) at Lawrence University.