MINNESOTA OPERA NAMES JOSEPH LI VICE PRESIDENT, ARTISTIC
Li Completes the organization’s artistic leadership team, joining the company from Baylor University School of Music and Wolf Trap Opera.
Joseph Li
MINNEAPOLIS (October 19, 2021) – Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Li in the role of Vice President, Artistic starting November 15, 2021.
As Vice President, Artistic, Li will oversee the artistic department, responsible for the vocal and instrumental divisions of the company. The position will also work in collaboration with Lee Bynum (Vice President, Impact), Karen Quisenberry (Vice President, Production) and Ryan Taylor (President and General Director) to plan and execute annual performance seasons in accordance with the company’s standard of musical and dramatic quality as well as its diversity charter. In addition, Li will work with colleagues at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Schubert Club and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to deepen the collaborative artistic relationship within The Arts Partnership.
Since 2016, Li has served as an Assistant Professor of Vocal Coaching at Baylor University School of Music in Waco, Texas. At Baylor University, he has immersed himself in teaching the operatic artform, creating new course curricula in recitative and lyric diction and participating in casting, programming and conducting mainstage operas, outreach and scenes programs. Li concurrently serves as the Manager of Special Music Projects at Wolf Trap Opera and has been with the organization since 2011. During his service to Wolf Trap Opera, he has managed the music staff personnel, programmed multi-genre presentations at non-tradition venues, executed dramaturgical tasks and served as chorus master, among other administrative tasks performed to ensure rehearsals and performances run smoothly from the first downbeat to the final curtain call.
Minnesota Opera has previously engaged Li before, entrusting him to creatively lead the Opera’s A Holiday Special—Live! concert in December of 2020 as well as serving as arranger and pianist for Art is a Verb, the newly commissioned work performed as a part of Minnesota Opera’s 2021 Virtual Benefit. His other appointments include serving on the New York Festival of Song Artist Council since 2018, teaching at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas and working as senior coach and chorus master at the Aspen Opera Theater.
“In my collaborations with Minnesota Opera over the last year, I experienced firsthand the innovation and excellence Minnesota Opera brings to everything they do,” said Li. “I have always held a deep respect for Minnesota Opera’s steadfast commitment to its people and the values set forth in its diversity charter, and I couldn’t be more excited to be invited to play a leading role in creating world-class opera in Minnesota in ways that honor those values.”
“We are delighted to welcome back Joseph Li in this role as vice president, artistic,” said Minnesota Opera President and General Director Ryan Taylor. “Joseph brings a wealth of experience working in and around opera, deep knowledge of the artform’s history and current trajectory and a personal practice rooted in creative innovation. He will lead a talented, adept team dedicated to using operatic artmaking to strengthen relationships with local, national and international artists, focusing on our organization’s anti-racist and anti-oppressive priorities outlined in Minnesota Opera’s diversity charter. Please join me in welcoming him to our community!”