What They Say
Video Endorsements
Leek family legacy & staff
Wilhelmus M. Bakkum
Born in 1898, James Leek’s maternal grandfather worked for the Bernard Pels & Sons Pipe Organ Co. located in Alkmaar. As superintendent, he built and installed many pipe organs in the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, and United States. His career in pipe organ building spanned over 50 years.
Opa Bakkum’s spirit guides James as he navigates those tight corners in the chambers and as he brings unyielding pipes back in tune.
John G.P. Leek 1929-2019
John Leek apprenticed with Fa. Bernard Pels & Zonen in ALKMAAR, the Netherlands. As a journeyman he worked at a number of firms, including: Vermeulen, Wattell, and Verschueren. He eventually returned to Vermeulen for 8 years, having left to honorably fulfill military service.
John emigrated to the United States in 1961 and applied for jobs at three American organbuilding firms, eventually accepting a position at the Walter Holtkamp Company in Cleveland, Ohio where he worked for three years. From 1964-1976 he was Curator of Pipe Organ at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory. In 1976 he went into business for himself, from which he retired in 1992. Additionally John was an expert harpsichord builder His harpsichords are currently in use at the Oberlin Conservatory and many other locations in the United States and the world.
John frequently offered his wisdom and expertise to the company as a consultant on an as needed basis. John’s love of life was infectious as was his love of fine wines and chocolates.
President - Master Organ Builder
James P. Leek
James learned organ building and restoration while apprenticing under his father, a master organ builder, as a teenager during high school and later while pursuing a degree from Bowling Green State University in Industrial Technology Education. In 1992 James succeeded his father as President and Organbuilder. He brings a passion for music and the people who create it. He continues the family’s European tradition of putting the customer first and of fine, precise craftsmanship. For James organ building is a personal calling and vocation. He is a current member of the American Institute of Organ Builders, the Organ Historical Society, the American Guild of Organists, and St. Clarence Catholic Church in North Olmsted. James is an avid golfer, skier and loves the outdoors. He is the life of the party, with his great sense of humor! Despite is 6′ 7″ frame, over the years he has the mastered the skill of working in tight corners and small spaces of organ chambers. He finds yoga helpful in holding postures to tune the really pesky ranks of pipes squeezed into hard to reach places.
Meet our Staff
Noah Toth
Skilled Tradesman/Tuner
Noah Toth graduated with a diploma from Brunswick High School and attended a year at Capital University studying Music. At Leek he has received in depth on the job, cross training in organ building, restoration, maintenance, tuning, and voicing. He is completed the following certifications in partnership with Cuyahoga County Skill Up : Basic Electricity, mechanical troubleshooting, fall protection(OSHA), Fork, Scissor, Manual Lifts etc. His past work experience includes work as a Production Technician at Oatey, and seasonal jobs with Medina County Water Department. Noah plays the trumpet and enjoys creating videos with his partner Ashley and his dad. Noah is an Eagle Scout and past recipient of two county education scholarships and the Patrick Gilmore award for Band. Noah joined our team in October 2021
Trina Pirn
Organ Technician, Tuner, Customer Service,
Accompanist
Originally from Toronto, CA, Trina is part-time secretary, substitute organist and full-time pastor’s wife at Unity Lutheran Church. She has also served as rehearsal pianist for the choir at Christ Lutheran Church for a number of years.Trina holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English from the University of Toronto and University of Illinois. At Leek she has received in depth on the job, cross training in organ building, restoration, maintenance, tuning, and sales, Zoho CRM. She is completed the following certifications in partnership with Cuyahoga County Skill Up : Basic Electricity, mechanical troubleshooting, fall protection(OSHA), Fork, Scissor, Manual Lifts etc. She and her husband have three children, almost all of whom have ‘flown the nest’. Trina enjoys walking in Cleveland’s Metroparks in all four seasons.Trina joined our team in 2017.
Marc Liese
Organist, Organ Technician/Tuner
Marc’s time at Leek Pipe Organ Company consists of doing “whatever needs to be done around the shop or on a service call.” At Leek Marc has received in depth on the job cross training in organ building, restoration, maintenance, tuning. In partnership with Cuyahoga Skill Up he is certified in Basic Electricity, mechanical troubleshooting, fall protection (OSHA)Fork, Scissor, Manual Lifts etc. Marc and his wife have three grown children, and they enjoy family activities throughout the year. He also is involved in both recreational and scholastic sports at a variety of levels. Marc retired from teaching 6th grade Math at Bethany Lutheran school and serves as organist at Unity Lutheran Church in Cleveland.
Kane Ortman
Tradesman
Kane joined Leek Team in December 2022. At Leek Kane has received in depth on the job cross training in organ building, restoration, maintenance, tuning. In partnership with Cuyahoga Skill Up he is certified in Basic Electricity, mechanical troubleshooting, fall protection (OSHA)Fork, Scissor, Manual Lifts etc. Kanes also has a Level One Certificate in Food Protection, Erie County Health Department. Kanes past work experience includes manufacturing, construction and food services. He received his Diploma in 2010 from Western Reserve High School.
Peggy Draper
Office Administrator
Peggy joined us in 2010 as Office Administrator. She comes to us with vast experience in the administrative and accounting fields. Peggy has held administrative and accounting management positions with an individually owned firm, and at Plante & Moran, a large Michigan based regional accounting firm.Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to her own accounting & administrative services company before serving more recently as Compliance Director for an insurance financial services company.
Natalie Leek
Vice President
Originally from Mumbai, India, Natalie moved to the United States in 1991. She has a graduate degree in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University and over 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management and Marketing. She is a strong believer of small business being the engine of economic growth. Until 2008 she worked full time as a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences. Since her marriage to James Leek in 2002, she has apprenticed with him for a year and also worked part time in the company in addition to her job at Oberlin college.
