Dr. Shuo “Shelly” Li

Director

Dr. Shuo “Shelly” Li is the acting associate principal and second bassoon with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra. She started her training on piano at the age of 5 and continued her musical passion on bassoon. She won the second prize in the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition in 2010. Dr. Li has held acting tutti and leading positions with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, and Alabama Symphony Orchestra. She toured China with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as acting principal bassoon in 2016. Dr. Li has been a guest bassoonist with many major orchestras including Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, and Kansas City Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Li has participated in music festivals including National Repertory Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center, Round Top Music Festival, and Colorado College Music Festival. As an active chamber music player, she performed with groups including the Spring Wind Quintet, Chamber Music Hawaii. She was previously a member of Oberlin Bassoon Quartet for many years and has participated in outreach programs with various chamber music groups.

Dr. Li holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas. She also received a Master of Music degree from Rice University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College. Her primary teachers and mentors include Eric Stomberg, Benjamin Kamins, and George Sakakeeny.