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

Her works have been performed by major orchestras and ensembles including the San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Santa Rosa Symphony, Alarm Will Sound, West Edge Opera, and The President’s Own United States Marine Band. In July 2025, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and conductor Gil Rose released an album of her orchestral music titled The Last Hive Mind. Chamber groups such as Windscape, Chinook Winds, Argus Quartet, Donald Sinta Quartet, and the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia frequently perform her music, alongside international ensembles like Orkest de ereprijs (Netherlands), Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (Finland), ICon Arts Ensemble (Romania), Cecilia Quartet (Canada), and Atlas Ensemble (Netherlands).

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, The American Prize, and international competitions such as Antonin Dvorak Composition Competition and Huang Zi Composition Competition.

As founder of Four Corners Ensemble, she is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural storytelling through music. With Four Corners, she launched the Operation Opera Festival, which supports composers, vocalists, and pianists in developing new chamber operas and art songs. Their debut album, World Map—featuring Shuying’s chamber concertos—has been praised by Gramophone, American Record Guide, Pizzicato, and Take Effect.

Originally from China, Shuying began her musical training at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, earned her undergraduate degree at The Hartt School, and holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. She is currently on faculty at California State University, Sacramento, and previously directed the Composition/Music Theory program at Gonzaga University.

For new commissions, performance inquiries, curatorial opportunities and appearances please contact Owen Summers: owen@summersartistservices.com