Matěj Číp

The cimbalom, tones flowing from the guts of this traditional instrument, hold a charm for many of us associated with the feast traditions of Moravia. But what if you hear a cimbalom in such different places as Ostrava, South Dakota, Korea, Guatemala, or Beijing? What if you also add New York to it? My name is Matěj Číp, I come from a small village called Hodslavice in the Nový Jičín region, and thanks to the cimbalom, I have experienced incredible stories, met inspiring people, and gained valuable experiences. I first heard the sound of a cimbalom at my grandmother's celebration. From that moment on, my life path was irrevocably linked to this instrument. The cimbalom has become my guide on journeys around the world, in search of experiences, inspiration, and self-discovery. Thanks to the cimbalom, I have experienced incredible stories and met inspiring people. And thanks to the Bakala Foundation scholarship, another chapter is now opening for me - master's studies at the Berklee College of Music - Berklee NYC, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. Already in 2018, I decided to take the cimbalom with me to America and study there. It was a bold choice, which brought a lot of adventures - from transporting a hundred-kilogram instrument to America to figuring out how to study with an instrument that no one knows there. However, this decision allowed me to discover the charm of the cimbalom and the beauty of music as a universal language. My story is inspired by determination and a desire to meet new people, learn from them, and collaborate. My goal is to spread the beauty of the cimbalom and cimbalom music around the world, to collaborate and draw inspiration from musicians from all over the world and different cultures. I strive to take a part of our musical culture and connect it with others, to expand the possibilities of our beautiful, yet relatively small field. Although studying abroad is not always idyllic and sometimes brings complex problems, I believe that this experience is valuable for our personal development. I hope my journey can be an inspiration for all who are considering studying abroad regardless of their financial situation. Not only will studying open up new horizons for you, but it will also allow you to realize the values of home. And who knows, perhaps you will bring something new home and contribute to making our country, and perhaps even the whole world, a better place. And even though our situation may be full of challenges and pitfalls, let's remember the words of Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, in both cases you're right."