Olivia Li, seven, from New York, began playing the piano at age four. In 2026, at age seven, she was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where she currently studies with Ignat Solzhenitsyn and Michelle Cann. She also continues her studies with her longtime teacher, Qi Zhang, at Musart Music School.
A joyful and expressive young pianist, Olivia loves performing on stage and sharing her music with others. In August 2026, she made her concerto debut with orchestra, performing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467, at Manhattan School of Music. She has also participated in masterclasses with distinguished pianists including Jerome Lowenthal, Dang Thai Son, Ewa Pobłocka, and Marian Rybicki.
Olivia has received recognition in numerous international competitions. Her achievements include the Grand Prize at the XVI Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Connecticut; Grand Prize at the Chicago International Music Competition; Grand Prize at the Ocean Music International Piano Competition; First Prize at the Henle Piano Competition; and Gold Prize at the Piano Star International Competition and the VIVO International Music Competition. She was also awarded Second Prize at the Nashville International Chopin Piano Competition, where she received the Best Nocturne Prize across all age groups.
Olivia has performed at major concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Salle Cortot in Paris. Outside of piano, she enjoys reading, drawing, painting, crafting, swimming, and ice skating, approaching each activity with curiosity and creativity.
