ENGLISH -

French Australian harpist, Sebastian Lipman, began his harp studies under the tutelage of Madame Suzanne Chardon, at the Grenoble (France) Conservatorium, at the age of 7, while attending the intensely musically focused Berlioz primary school, and, at a later stage, the Charles Munch high school.

He pursued his Musical training, age 14, in Chicago, under the guidance of Mr Edward Druzinsky-Solo harpist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, while a high school exchange student in the USA.

Upon his return to France, he immediately entered the "Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris", in the class of Mr Gerard Devos, at age 16.

As a student, he participated actively in such Music camps as the Norwegian National Summer academy, and, the National Music camp in Interlochen, Michigan, (USA), as solo harpist of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, concerto winner, and honour recitalist.

To complete his musical studies, he returned to the USA, where in 1986, he obtained an Artist Diploma with high honours, from Indiana University(USA), as a student of Susann Mc Donald-Distinguished Professor, and chair of the Indiana University harp Department. It was the very first Artist Diploma awarded in harp in the history of Indiana Univerisity.

In 1985, as a 20 year old student, he competed, and became a finalist in the Israel International Harp Competition.

Privately, he has also had the good fortune to study with such mentors as Lily Laskine, Marielle Nordman, and Martine Geliot.

His first engagement, in 1986, upon his graduation, was with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, as well as with the Norwegian Opera Orchestra, and, freelancing and touring with the Oslo Philharmonic.

For the National radio, he has recorded major solo harp repertoire, in France, Germany, Norway, South Africa and Australia, and, has independently, released two solo CD's.

In 1987, he joined the Berlin Philharmonic, as solo harpist, under the direction of Maestro Herbert Von Karajan.

In the following years, in this tenured position, he performed, toured and recorded extensively, with such distinguished conductors as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Bernard Haitink, Lorin Maazel, Ricardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir George Solti, Andre Previn, Mariss Jansons, Seiji Ozawa, James Levine, Sir Colin Davis, etc.

Touring included performances in Royal Albert Hall (London), Carnegie Hall (New York), Suntory Hall (Tokyo), Musikverein (Vienna) and, the Salzburg Festival, on numerous occasions.

Since 1995, Sebastian is based in Brisbane-Australia, where, at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, he has developed Australia's leading harp class, composed of both Australian and overseas students.

He combines his teaching activities in Brisbane, with master classes overseas, as well as with performances as a concerto soloist  (Berlin Radio Orchestra, Norwegian Radio orchestra, Queensland Philharmonic) and as a solo recitalist, in all Australian capital cities, as well as on all continents.

As a performer and teacher, he has been, repetitively, a guest of the National Music camp (Australia) and, the Fukui and Soka festivals. (Japan.)

Recent overseas teaching activities included Trinity College-London, Beijing Conservatory, (China), Indiana University (USA), Taiwan, and Tokyo.

Recent overseas concerts include London's Covent Garden Royal Opera House, Northwestern University (Chicago), Kennedy Centre (Washington DC), Tokyo and Kanazawa (Japan).

In 2006, Sebastien Lipman and Sayo Lipman formed the husband and wife duo "Lipman Harp Duo". As such, they have performed extensively nationally and internationally. In 2006, they released their first CD "Harp Fusion" and have released their second CD, Internationally, for the Naxos label, in late 2007.
They embarked on a tour from Brisbane to Cairns in April 2008 and shall undertake their first world tour in March 2009.