Richard Piippo

An avid performer and promoter of chamber music, Richard Piippo brings a wealth of solo, orchestral and conducting experiences to audiences. Born in Wisconsin of Finnish parents, he has Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His studies at the university were with George Sopkin of the Fine Arts Quartet. Further studies took him to Europe where he received a Diploma of Merit and Distinction from the Internationale Meisterkurse for Musik in Zurich, Switzerland, where he studied with the famous French cellist, Pierre Fournier. Piippo continued studies at the San Francisco Conservatory with Laszlo Varga and Margaret Rowell. His conducting studies have been with George Cleve, Donald Craig and Marvin Rabin.

Since 1996, Piippo has spent his summers on the faculty of Seminar at Western Michigan University, as conductor,solo performer,teacher and coach. He also is Music Director/Conductor of the Dearborn Summer Music Festival. His work with the Detroit Symphony has included tours of Europe, Japan, Carnegie Hall and numerous recordings. In the fall of 1999, Piippo joined the faculty of Hope College as professor of cello/chamber music and conductor of orchestras.

Piippo appears as soloist and chamber player throughout the United States and Canada, toured China in 2005, performs as cellist with the Detroit Symphony and the Anchor Piano Trio. Critics have commented on his sure technique and lyrical style, which brings audiences an extraordinary musical experience.