Assistant Professor of Music
Li Kuang is the Assistant Professor of Music at Portland State University (OR), where he teaches trombone and music theory and serves as the Director of the PSU Trombone Choir. He previously served on faculty at Murray State University (KY), Southwestern University (TX), Blinn College (TX), and the University of Texas at Austin. Li presented numerous solo recitals and performances across the US and Asia, including solo appearances at the International Trombone Festival in 2019, 2022, and 2023, American Trombone Workshop, Big XII Trombone Conference, and Jinbao International Low Brass Festival.
Equally comfortable in the orchestral realm, Kuang performs regularly with the Oregon Symphony and has performed with Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber and Winds, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra/Opera Orchestra, Sichuan Film Orchestra, and Chengdu Philharmonic. Li competed successfully in several prestigious solo competitions, including winning the "Top Emerging Artists" competition in China, the International Trombone Association "Frank Smith Competition," and the Sichuan Province Government Scholarship. He was also the winner of the Bowling Green State University concerto competition, the runner-up at the UT-Austin Concerto Competition, and 2nd place in the Remington International Trombone Choir Competition. He was also a finalist in ATW National Solo Competition Division III.
Passionate about the Trombone Choir and a supporter of Trombone Choir music, Kuang established the PSU Trombone Choir in 2022 as a regular performing ensemble and currently serves as the Director. Kuang brought Murray State University Trombone Choir to perform a concert on the opening night of the 2019 International Trombone Festival in Muncie, Indiana. Kuang served on the judging panel of several important trombone competitions, including the International Trombone Association's Gagliardi Competition, American Trombone Workshop's National Tenor & Bass Trombone Solo Competitions, Jinbao International Low Brass Grand Prix, Big XII Trombone Solo Competitions. Deeply committed to fostering the next generation of young musicians, Li passionately works with high school students and serves as the low brass coach at the Portland Youth Philharmonic. In 2023, Kuang served on the faculty of the 2023 International Trombone Festival Youth Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he worked with young trombonists from all over the world. Kuang is also a competent teacher in undergraduate music theory and aural skills courses. His teaching strives to connect students' classroom knowledge and their real music experience, making his classrooms highly relevant to the current music. Kuang has taught music theory courses at Murray State University and Portland State University.