Joel Stoppenhagen is a native of rural Ossian, Indiana. He began studying the organ at the age of 11, and since then has pursued excellence in repertoire- and service-playing. Recognized as a rising figure in the world of organ music, he was featured in The Diapason’s “20 Under 30” Class of 2023. He was also awarded the Ronald G. Reidenbach Prize in Church Music from Valparaiso University.

In 2023, Joel graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. During his time at Valparaiso University, he took lessons with Dr. Sunghee Kim and Dr. Stephen Schnurr and held leadership roles in the University’s AGO chapter. His last semester of school was spent at Westfield House in Cambridge, the theological school of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England. While there, he also studied organ with Benjamin Sheen of Jesus College. Joel will be pursuing a graduate degree in organ performance and sacred music this coming fall.