Erik Dippenaar was born in 1982 in South Africa. At the end of 2003 he obtained the degree B.Mus (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Following his academic achievement at the abovementioned institution, he was awarded Academic Honours.

In July 2007 he was awarded a MMus in Advanced Performance (with distinction) by the Royal College of Music, London. Erik is currently doing an Artist Diploma in harpsichord and fortepiano at the RCM under Jane Chapman (harpsichord) and Geoffrey Govier (fortepiano). He is financially supported by the Richard Carne and Ruth Dyson Awards.

As harpsichordist Erik has appeard in various important early music fesivals such as the Greenwich Early music Festival, the London Handel Festival and the Brighton Early Music Festival. He has appeared with various ensembles, including the RCM Baroque Orchestra (as soloist) and the Cape Town based Baroque ensemble, Camerata Tinta Barocca. As orchestral continuo player he has played under sir Charles Mackerras (Mozart – Mass in c minor), Adrian Butterfield (Rameau – Pigmallion) and Michael Rosewell (Monteverdi - L’incoronazione de Poppea).

Erik has appeared as organ soloist with some of the major South African symphony orchestras, including the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra.

He has won several important South African music competitions, including the Sixth UNISA National Organ Competition (2001), the ABSA National Youth Music Competition (2001), the ATKV Muziq Competition (2002), the UNISA Overseas Music Bursary Competition (2003) and the Mabel Quick Overseas Bursary Competition (2004). In June 2006 (as solo harpsichordist) he was the winner of the Royal College of Music Early Music Competition. In April 2007 he was awarded a third place in the Broadwood Harpsichord Competition, Fenton House, Hampstead and during July 2007 he received the Richard the III prize in the RCM Early Music Competition. During the 7th London Handel Singing Competition he was awarded the Accompanist’s Prize.

Future engagements include a solo recital for the British Hapsichord Society and harpsichord concertos with Camerata Tinta Barocco in Cape Town.