Vivian Li

Hailing originally from the city of Hong Kong, Vivian Li is a London-based composer and mandolinist. Her music embraces the simple yet intricate melodic qualities in folk genres, the captivating drive of bluegrass, the harmonic palette of jazz, and explores opportunities for improvisation while drawing on a rich background of classical music.
Vivian studied with the late Steven Stucky at Cornell University (B.A.), and with Paul Moravec at Mannes School of Music (M.M). While living in New York City, she was exposed to a variety of musical experiences, and became immersed in the bluegrass scene. In 2014, she had the opportunity to record an album of her original compositions titled Growing in the Cracks with some of the best classical, jazz and bluegrass musicians in the city including Chris Komer (New Jersey Symphony), Zach Brock (Snarky Puppy), and Ross Martin (Matt Flinner Trio). Her music has been performed in different venues including Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  She now resides in London, UK, and when she is not composing, she spends her time teaching piano and performing with her bluegrass band Lunch Special and gypsy jazz trio Swing Train 42.