Crete-Monee graduate working on a well-orchestrated success story

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Matthew Lipman, of University Park, is pursuing his passion — playing the viola — at The Juilliard School for gifted musicians, dancers and actors in New York. | Supplied photo

Updated: March 24, 2012 8:03AM

Matthew Lipman had been playing the viola for only a few weeks before he realized how greatly he enjoyed it.

Lipman, then a fourth-grader, said he found the instrument “amazing.”

Now, about a decade later, others apparently find the Crete-Monee High School graduate amazing as well.

Not only is Lipman, of University Park, pursuing his passion at The Juilliard School in New York — a school for gifted musicians, dancers and actors from around the world — but he won Grand Prize and First Prize awards last month at the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association’s Young Artist Competition.

The prizes include an opportunity for Lipman to return to Minnesota and play with the orchestra in a subscription series.

“That’s the main reason I did the competition. The Minnesota Orchestra is one of the best orchestras in the country, one of the most renowned,” Lipman said. “I really look forward to collaborating with the conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and the players.”

The feeling must be mutual. As the Minnesota Orchestra conductor, only Osmo Vanska can award the Grand Prize. And in the 56 years that the competition has been held, Lipman is only the eighth recipient of the honor.

As a second-year student at Juilliard, Lipman has had musical experiences that include playing at Carnegie Hall, and with noted violinist Itzhak Perlman at the Kennedy Center. Lipman earned the latter opportunity by participating in The Perlman Music Program when he was between the ages 16 to 18, with faculty led by the great violinist himself. He also has won numerous other awards.

Being in New York, Lipman said, “is very inspiring. There are a lot of great musicians. It’s an amazing learning experience and fun playing time. It’s very nice for established artists to want to play with students.”

Although many viola students begin with the violin and then switch to the viola, Lipman began on viola. But his accomplishments perhaps are even more exceptional considering he said he seriously considered switching to violin when he was 15.

Eventually, he said, the greater “soul, emotion and depth of character of the viola” led him to continue on.

“I loved it, and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he said.

His immediate plans are to finish school. What happens after that remains to be seen.

“I want to stay in New York, get as many concerts as I can, and travel,” Lipman said. “For viola, you have to be innovative and invent your career.”