In a time where classical music continually seeks to redefine its place within a fast-moving, digital landscape, pianist Jingying Li emerges as a compelling force.
A graduate of New York University’s Steinhardt School with a Master of Music and an Advanced Certificate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Li has cultivated a career defined not merely by technical command, but by an extraordinary capacity to bridge distinct musical traditions, generations and cultures.
At the center of Li’s artistic philosophy is a dual heritage—a rigorous early training rooted in Eastern discipline, combined with the expressive, communicative freedom fostered in Western institutions.
"Growing up in China and later developing my career in the United States exposed me to different approaches to musical training and artistic expression," Li notes. "My early education emphasized discipline, precision, and respect for the score, while my Western training encouraged personality, interpretation, and audience engagement. Bringing these perspectives together has shaped the way I plan my performance activities and programming."
This cross-cultural synthesis elevates Li from a performer of classical works to a narrative programmer. Whether interpreting canonical European masterworks or advocating for contemporary Asian and Asian-American composers, Li approaches the piano keyboard with intentionality. Her concert programs are deliberate, curated experiences designed to evoke a shared human resonance.
Li’s solo and orchestral engagements span critical international venues. A significant international project in Li’s career took place at Teatro das Figuras in Faro, Portugal, where she performed and recorded Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor as part of the Algarve Music Series. The performance and recording session was open to the public. As well as a public performance at the historic Club Farense, a cultural institution founded in 1863 in the heart of Faro.
"It was important because it highlighted my career and practice as an international concert pianist. To present a piano concerto in one of the principal performing arts venues in Portugal’s Algarve region is an inspiring experience," said Li. "Artistically, collaborating with major international symphony orchestra Orquestra do Algarve and renowned conductor Joshua Dos Santos presented a fantastic opportunity and challenge, balancing my own artistic interpretation as well as the ensemble and conductor’s perspective."
Li's artistry has consistently earned highest honors on the international competition circuit. Her accolades include the High Distinction Award at the 2024 Global Piano Artistes Audition Competition, Second Prize at the 10th Edition of the World’s Best Musicians Competition in 2025, and top honors at the United States Open Music Competition and the 59th Grotrian-Steinweg International Robert Schumann Competition for Young Pianists.
Her early promise was recognized when she was selected for Lang Lang’s "Little Musician Selection," performing alongside the virtuoso at his New Year’s Concert in Dalian.
What sets Li apart in such a competitive field is her distinctive approach to repertoire. Her broad cultural background has fueled her unique approach. "I am interested in programming and presenting composers of various backgrounds—for example, Asian American composers that deserve wider reach and whose stories I can resonate with," she explains.
Li's institutional leadership further underscores her standing in the field. Having served as Adjunct Piano Faculty at NYU Steinhardt, she has instructed both music majors and non-majors, integrating advanced pedagogical frameworks, including Kodály and Orff methodologies, into her curriculum. Internationally, her authority as an evaluator was confirmed through her appointment as a professional primer judge for a Chinese national children's music festival and broadcast event.
Next up, Li is preparing a solo piano album, launching performance collaborations with contemporary composers and producers, and is developing new recital series across Southern California.
Combining international performance credentials, university faculty service and competitive distinctions, Jingying Li is an exemplar of the modern classical soloist; a musician whose art bridges geographical borders, historical eras and global communities.
As a Steinway & Sons Educational Partner, Li remains deeply invested in expanding classical music’s reach to younger audiences without diluting its core integrity.
"One of my most cherished parts of classical music is its capabilities to embody emotions: love, loss, tension, hope, joy," said Li. "Our role as classical musicians is to make the music feel accessible while retaining its essence, and to help audiences better connect to pieces written centuries ago."
