Li Kuang is an Assistant Professor of Music at Portland State University, where he serves as the trombone professor, teaches music theory courses, coaches chamber ensembles, and directs the Portland State University Trombone Choir.
Before joining PSU, Li was an Assistant Professor of Music (Trombone and Theory) at Murray State University (KY). He also served as an Associate Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin and held teaching positions at Southwestern University (TX) and Blinn College (TX) as the applied Low Brass Instructor.
An Edwards and Ultimate Brass Artist, Li maintains a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer, both in the US and Asia. His recent solo appearances include performances at the International Trombone Festivals (ITF), American Trombone Workshop (ATW), Big XII Trombone Conference, and the Jinbao International Low Brass Festival. He has also performed with prestigious ensembles such as the Oregon Symphony, Paducah Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, Chengdu Philharmonic, and the International Trombone Festival Cramer Choir.
Li is an active recitalist, clinician, and adjudicator, regularly presenting recitals, masterclasses, and clinics across the US and China. Recent masterclass engagements include Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee, University of Oregon, Bowling Green State University, China Conservatory, and Jilin College of Fine Arts. He has also served on jury panels for the International Trombone Association's Gagliardi Tenor Trombone Competition, the American Trombone Workshop’s National Tenor & Bass Trombone Solo Competitions, and numerous other regional and international competitions.
A successful competitor himself, Li has won several prestigious awards, including the "Top Emerging Artists" competition in Asia, the International Trombone Association's Frank Smith Competition, and the Sichuan Province Government Scholarship. He was a runner-up in the Remington International Trombone Choir Competition and a finalist in the ATW National Solo Competition.
As a committed educator, Li works with trombone students of all levels, creating an inclusive, engaging, and rigorous learning environment. Outside of PSU, he works with the low brass section of Portland Youth Orchestras and was on the faculty for the 2023 International Trombone Festival Youth Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he mentored young trombonists from around the world. In his ongoing efforts to build connections between the US and China in the trombone community, Li presented the well-received article “Trombone Pedagogy of China” at the 52nd International Trombone Festival, highlighting developments and opportunities in trombone education in China.
Li holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and Master of Music degrees in Trombone Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan. He earned his Bachelor of Music degrees from Bowling Green State University and Sichuan Conservatory of Music (China). His primary teachers include Nathaniel Brickens, David L. Jackson, Bill Mathis, Garth Simmons, and Jin Sun, with additional guidance from renowned artists such as Joseph Alessi, Kenneth Thompkins, Michael Mulcahy, Nitzan Haroz, and Matt Vaughn.