Profile

Shuying Li is an award-winning composer whose music has been praised as “vivid, dramatic” (San Francisco Chronicle), “enjoyable” (Gramophone), and showcasing “an incredible span of compositional toolbox” (American Record Guide). Described as “a real talent” (The Seattle Times), she writes bold, emotionally charged music that blends rich colors with compelling storytelling, aiming to connect with audiences through universal human experiences and emotions.

Originally from China, Shuying began her musical training at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music before earning a scholarship to continue her undergraduate studies at The Hartt School. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan and is currently on the faculty at California State University, Sacramento. Previously, she directed the Composition/Music Theory program at Gonzaga University and served as research faculty at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Her works have been performed by major orchestras and ensembles worldwide, including the San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound, and The President’s Own United States Marine Band. Her music is also championed by prominent chamber groups such as Windscape, Chinook Winds, Argus Quartet, Donald Sinta Quartet, and the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, as well as international ensembles including Orkest de ereprijs (Netherlands), Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (Finland), ICon Arts Ensemble (Romania), Cecilia Quartet (Canada), 15.19. Ensemble (Italy), Ascanio Quartet (Italy), and Atlas Ensemble (Netherlands), among others.

Shuying’s accolades include awards and grants from OPERA America, the Fromm Music Foundation, the Alice M. Ditson Fund, the Copland House Residency Award, China National Arts Fund, ASCAP/CBDNA Frederick Fennell Prize, and The American Prize, International Antonin Dvorak Composition Competition, International Huang Zi Composition Competition, Melta International Composition Competition, among others. Her opera-in-development with librettist Julian Crouch received the OPERA America Discovery Grant and was workshopped at Houston Grand Opera.

Beyond composition, Shuying is committed to fostering cultural dialogue through music. She founded the Four Corners Ensemble, dedicated to championing new works and cross-cultural storytelling, with performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, OPERA America, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She also launched the Operation Opera Festival, an annual initiative supporting composers, vocalists, and pianists in developing new chamber operas and art songs. Four Corners’ debut album, World Map, featuring a series of chamber concertos by Shuying, has received acclaim in Gramophone, American Record Guide, Pizzicato, and Take Effect.

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