Richard Li
Clarinetist Richard Li is a dynamic performer and teacher committed to engaging with diverse communities within and outside of the arts. In 2016, Richard received a Master of Music degree in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, along with both the Arts Leadership and Performer’s Certificates. Prior to moving to Rochester, Richard performed in the Chicago area while studying with John Bruce Yeh, Assistant Principal and Solo Eb Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Richard has performed in numerous internationally renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Bartók National Concert Hall in Budapest, Haydnsaal at Esterházy, and both Dvorak and Smetana Halls in Prague. Richard has performed new music under the baton of conductors such as Brad Lubman, Alan Pierson and Jeff Milarsky. He continues to push the boundaries of his instrument by not only performing new repertoire, but with his passion for making informed transcriptions of the solo string music of J.S. Bach for performance on the clarinet.
Richard has taught through the Eastman Community Music School since 2013, as a Clarinet Mentor in the New Horizons Program. Additionally, Richard maintains an active private studio and enjoys sharing his love and knowledge of music with students of all ages. In addition to teaching, Richard is a founding member of the Eastman Clarinet Duo, a group dedicated to interactive outreach that aims to inform and inspire especially those that may not have access to classical music or its history. The duo has given over 200 performances in New York, Florida and California. Richard also holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the Eastman School of Music and is an inducted member of Society of Pi Kappa Lambda, National Music Honor Society. His principal teachers include John Bruce Yeh and Kenneth Grant.