Eugenijus Čiplys (born in 1970) graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in 1996 with a Master's degree in music (in the class of Prof. A. Smolskis and Assoc. Prof. K. Mikiška). He is a laureate of the national J. Švedas Young Performers' Competitions and frequently performs as a soloist and in various chamber ensembles. Between 1992 and 2002, he performed with the Lithuanian Music Ensemble "Kanklės" (led by Prof. L. Naikelienė) in Switzerland, Germany, France, Denmark, the USA, Canada and other countries. He has recorded radio shows in Lithuania, the USA and Germany, and has released several CDs. In 2002, he performed as a soloist in concert halls in Switzerland, Zyroch and Basel, and made local radio recordings. Since 2001, he has regularly performed in an unconventional ensemble with flutist V. Zabrodaite. He has also prepared a program with organist D. Šakenyte and pan flutist K. Mikiška. In 2000, he performed with these musicians at the National Philharmonic Grand Hall, and in 2001, he participated in the St. Christopher Summer Festival and recorded a CD. In 2001, together with musicologist A. Puišis, he founded the educational group "Fiat Lux". Since then, concerts and lessons about Lithuanian folk instruments have been organized in various cities in Lithuania for students. Since 1992, Eugenijus Čiplys has been actively teaching at the Karoliniškių Music School. In 2005, the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture and the Folk Culture Center nominated the folk instrument orchestra of the Karoliniškių Music School, led by E. Čiplys and kanklininkė V. Alenskienė, for the "Golden Bird" award as the best amateur folk instrument orchestra in Lithuania in 2004. Together with other school teachers, he formed an unconventional student chamber ensemble (flute, pan flute, kanklės and piano), which became a laureate of the international "Sąskambiai" competition in Kiev and participated in an international competition held at the event of the international association "Art and education in the 21st century", becoming the absolute winner and winning the Grand Prix. In 2007, he became a winner of the Val Tidone International Chamber Ensemble Competition (Italy) together with kanklininkė J. Babaliauskienė. Since 2006, Eugenijus Čiplys has been the artistic director of the Vilnius University Song and Dance Ensemble. He was the conductor of the Lithuanian Song Celebrations in 2007 and 2009, and the author of several works. Through his public, concert and pedagogical activities, Eugenijus Čiplys constantly promotes the art of folk instrumental music, playing traditional and modernised folk wind instruments. His repertoire includes not only traditional folk music, but also classical, romantic and modern compositions by various composers.
