Leevi Lipponen (b. 1997) is an organist from Juuka, North Karelia (Finland). He studied organ performance at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki under the guidance of Markku Hietaharju and Ville Urponen. Lipponen completed his Master of Music degree in classical music performance in December 2024 and, in the same year, earned the advanced “A diploma” in organ performance under Markku Hietaharju. In addition, he studied piano and obtained the “B diploma” under Anna Kuvaja.

Earlier, he completed a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in church music and a musician’s diploma at the Helsinki Conservatory of Music, where his teachers were Liisa Malmivaara (piano) and Markku Nurminen (organ).

Starting in autumn 2025, Lipponen will continue his studies in the Konzertexamen program at the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Germany, studying with Vincent Dubois, titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Lipponen has participated in numerous masterclasses with teachers such as Olivier Latry and Nathan Laube (organ), and Armen Babakhanian and Tuija Hakkila (piano). He performs actively as both a soloist and chamber musician. Notable appearances include performances at the Turku Organ Festival in Turku Cathedral, the “katedraali.org” concert series in Tampere Cathedral, the new Rieger organ at the Helsinki Music Centre, and the Helsinki Organ Summer Festival. In May 2024, he premiered Artturi Rönkä’s Chants as soloist with the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra on the Rieger organ of the Helsinki Music Centre. In September 2025, he made his debut at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Lipponen gained significant competition experience by advancing to the semifinals of the 2021 Toulouse International Organ Competition. Since 2021, he has served as the artistic director of the Juua Music Festival, which he founded. His versatile career as a church musician has included positions as cantor in the Helsinki Cathedral Parish and currently in the Myrskylä Parish. He has also taught organ performance at the Käpylä Music Institute. His musical development has been supported by the Juua Foundation.

Lipponen’s repertoire spans from the Baroque era to contemporary music, with a particular passion for French symphonic organ music from the 19th century to the present day—a field in which he has deepened his expertise and expanded his repertoire.