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 recently 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.

Joel is currently a student in the Master of Sacred Music program at the University of Notre Dame, where he studies organ performance with Dr. Kola Owolabi. In 2024, he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Valparaiso University, graduating summa cum laude. During his time at Valparaiso University, he studied organ with Dr. Stephen Schnurr and Dr. Sunghee Kim. His final term of undergraduate was done at Westfield House, the Lutheran House of Theological Studies in Cambridge, UK. While in Cambridge, he continued his organ studies with Mr. Benjamin Sheen of Jesus College.