Jaakko Kilpeläinen (b. 2000) is a Finnish contemporary composer from North Karelia. Alongside composition, he actively engages in arranging, orchestration, and project management.

Kilpeläinen’s style is technical and profoundly structural. He is driven by a devotion to set theory and broad spectral harmonies that renew and evolve throughout the pitch space. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of rhythmic vibrancy, since rhythm is the messenger of music. Yet, although theory and extramusical elements are highly inspiring to him, they hold relatively minor significance in the final musical whole. To Kilpeläinen, music is the highest form of art, needing no explanation or external elements to be beautiful and compelling.

Kilpeläinen has received compositional mentoring from composers such as Matthew Whittall, Lauri Kilpiö, Andrew Norman, and Magnus Lindberg. He has also had the honor to work with ensembles such as the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, Zagros Ensemble, EMO Ensemble (mixed choir), Hiss Quartet, and the Dragoon Band (symphonic wind orchestra).