Junlin Li 李俊霖

is a Chinese composer and pianist born and raised in Guangzhou, China.

His compositions have been performed in various countries, including China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Croatia, and Austria. He has worked with ensembles/ performers, including Brand New Orchestra, Psappha Ensemble, Tokyo Duck Ensemble, PHACE Ensemble, MidWalesStrings, Brand New Wind Orchestra, soloists such as Ruth Gibson, Jeanette Szeto, Fangwei Zhao, Sunwoo Shin, etc.

In his perspective, music emerges as a subject demanding a lifetime of study, encompassing both profession and passion. He aspires for his audience to grasp his essence through his compositions, which often weave references from renowned pieces, fuse Eastern and Western melodies, and contemplate societal issues, cinema, literature, and beyond.

His zest lies in crafting spirited, brisk compositions, imbuing each piece with his heart and soul to instill them with vibrancy, with his works like "Hamon波纹," "Iridescence彩虹色斑," and "Photos: Instantaneous Moments" exemplifying his rapid-paced creations. Finding delight in the creative process, he endeavors to convey his perspectives through music.

As a musician, he places significant emphasis on attitude, believing that enthusiasm and passion exert profound influence, shaping his personal compositions and performances alike. When at the piano, he maintains a poised and assured demeanor, convinced that self-assurance and conviction are vital for his audience to connect with his music.

His compositions have made their mark across China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Croatia, and Austria, traversing traditional and contemporary realms and blending Eastern and Western influences. Mentors such as Brahms, Chopin, Gubaidulina, Thorvaldsdottir, and Matalon, alongside collaborations with esteemed ensembles and soloists, have enriched his musical journey, offering insights not only into music but also life itself.

 

Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Composition at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in the United States, he previously attained a First-Class Honours degree in composition from the Royal Northern College of Music in the United Kingdom for his undergraduate studies.

 

Under the guidance of instructors such as Kevin Puts, Eric Wubbels, Oscar Bettison, Gary Carpenter, Yang Song, and Zehui Xie, he has honed his compositional skills, while in piano, he has had the privilege of studying with Iyad Sughayer, Daniel Linder, Yuntian Liu, and Mei Zhu.

  • 2024

    Tokyo Duck EnEemble: Asian premiere of “Unfolding Reverie”

    arspace Ensemble: Premiere of Mixed Chamber Quintet “Hamon波纹’’

    Piano Solo Music: “iridescence彩虹色斑’’, premiered by Sunwoo Shin at Peabody institute

    2023

    Psappha Ensemble: World premiere of the "Unfolding Reverie".

    Commissioned for "Made in Manchester" Concert: duet for Cello and one percssionist.

    2022

    MidWalesStrings "Call for scores": Selected Cohort.

    "UPBEAT" International music Festival in Sutivan, Croatia: for composer/performer; Studied with Joel Hoffman

    Vienna Summer Music Festival in 2022: composed and premiered quintet work "Time, Hands, Clock" for PHACE ensemble in Vienna; Studied with Alexandra Karastoyanova-Hermentin and Anthony Green.

    Viola Solo piece "Autumn Hugs": premiered in RNCM composer's concert, Carol Nash Room.

    String Quartet piece "Water Lilies First Movement": premiered in RNCM composer's concert, Carol Nash Room.

    Piano Concertino piece "Under the Sun":premiered in RNCM "Brand New Day" by Fangwei Zhao.

    Wind Orchestra piece "Love Story": commissioned and performed in workshop by RNCM Wind Orchestra.

    2021

    String Quartet piece"Water Lilies First Movement": performed in Solemn Quartet workshop.

    Sound Track for film: commissioned by Manchester Metropolitan University Film program students (Fly me to the Moon).

    Viola Solo piece "Autumn Hugs": performed by Ruth Gibson in RNCM.

  • - Anna Clyne (English composer)

    - George Lewis (Head of Composition at Columbia University)

    - Richard Danielpour (Professor at Curtis Institute of Music, UCLA)

    - Alexandra Karastoyanova-Hermentin (Austrian Composer/Pianist)

    - Anthony R Green ( American Composer)

  • Main Composition Teachers:

    - Kevin Puts: Kevin Matthew Puts is an American composer, best known for his opera The Hours and for winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for his first opera Silent Night and a Grammy Award in 2023 for his concerto Contact.

    - Eric Wubbels: Eric Wubbels is a composer and performer. Since 2004 he has been pianist and Co-Director of the Wet Ink Ensemble (NYC), and he performs regularly in projects with Mariel Roberts and Josh Modney, Weston Olencki, and Charmaine Lee, among others.

    - Oscar Bettison: Oscar Bettison (born 19 September 1975) is a British/American composer known for large-scale chamber and large ensemble works. He has been described as possessing "a unique voice". Bettison has recently been named a 2017 Guggenheim Fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.

    - Gary Carpenter, professor in composition at Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Academy of Music.

    - Paul Patterson, professor in composition at Royal Northern College of Music, Head of Composition Emeritus: Royal Academy of Music.

    - Joel Hoffman, composition professor of China Conservatory of Music, Professor Emeritus: University of Cincinnati.

  • - Iyad Sughayer, tutor in piano at Royal Northern College of Music.

    - Daniel Linder, professor in piano at University of Arizona.

    - Yuntian Liu, professor in piano at Xinghai Conservatory of Music.

    - Mei Zhu, professor in piano at Zhejiang Conservatory of Music.