Trombone

Li Kuang is Associate Professor of Music at Portland State University, where he teaches trombone and music theory, coaches chamber ensembles, and directs the PSU Trombone Choir. His work reflects a commitment to both artistic excellence and student-centered teaching, fostering a rigorous and engaging learning environment for musicians at all levels.

Before joining PSU, Li served on the faculties of Murray State University, Southwestern University, and Blinn College, and was a teaching assistant to Nathaniel Brickens at the University of Texas at Austin.

An Edwards and Ultimate Brass Artist, Li maintains an active and diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer throughout the United States and Asia. His recent solo appearances include the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Big XII Trombone Conference, and the Jinbao International Low Brass Festival. As an orchestral musician, he has performed with ensembles such as the Oregon Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, and Chengdu Philharmonic, as well as the International Trombone Festival Cramer Choir.

A prize-winning performer, Li has received honors including the International Trombone Association’s Frank Smith Competition and recognition in ITA Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition and the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition.

Li is also an active recitalist, clinician, and adjudicator, regularly presenting masterclasses and clinics across the U.S. and China. Recent engagements include Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee, University of Oregon, Bowling Green State University, the China Conservatory, and Jilin College of Fine Arts. He has served on jury panels for the International Trombone Association competitions, the American Trombone Workshop’s National Trombone Solo Competitions, and numerous regional and international events.

Beyond the university, Li is deeply engaged in mentorship and community work, collaborating with the Portland Youth Philharmonic and serving on the faculty of the International Trombone Festival Youth Workshop. His scholarship and creative activity reflect a broader commitment to connecting musical communities, including his presentation “Trombone Pedagogy of China” at the International Trombone Festival, which highlights developments and perspectives in Chinese brass education.

Li holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, master’s degrees in trombone performance and chamber music from the University of Michigan, and bachelor’s degrees from Bowling Green State University and the Sichuan Conservatory of Music.

Trombone section sponsored by Hank and Mardy Stevens

John grew up in Hillsboro, and is an active freelance musician on the west coast. He took private lessons locally, and played with the Portland Youth Philharmonic in middle and high schools. John is second trombone with Orchestra Nova Northwest, and plays regularly with Vancouver Symphony, Newport Symphony, and other ensembles around town, as well as occasional appearances with the Portland Opera and the Portland Festival Orchestra. John teaches privately in the Portland-Metro area. He attended Portland State University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he received a degree in Music Performance. He was a member of the Marin Symphony, and regular substitute with the Dallas Wind Symphony, Texas Wind Symphony, Garland Symphony, and a founding member of the trombone quartet Slide Handlers while living in Dallas, Texas. John loves the outdoors, movies, and listening to all types of music. He has been married to his amazing wife Karen for over 30 years and loves raising their daughter.

Story about how I came to play trombone:
As a kid, I did not have the hand strength and dexterity needed to play many instruments, and my mom knew this. A few months before instrument selection in elementary school, she started playing lots of classical music with strong trombone parts; Wagner, Mahler, Respighi, Shostakovich, brass quintets, etc. This had the desired effect, as when I was choosing, I asked, “What was that instrument in that Mahler thing?” When I chose trombone, my mother breathed a sigh of relief knowing it was something I could play and stick with. Over 45 years later, I’m still with it, and love to play with ONN and our wonderful low brass section of Greg Scholl, John Ohnstad, and James Kuzmic. Being able to play this amazing music with friends, and under the fabulous leadership of Steven Byess, is both a privilege and a pleasure.

The Trombone Section is sponsored by Mardy & Hank Stevens.

John is the Principal Bass Trombonist of Orchestra Nova Northwest, Oregon Coast Music Festival, Siletz Bay Music Festival, Big Horn Brass, Portland Chamber Orchestra,  Art Abrams Swing Machine Big Band,  and the King Machine .  John is a Voigt Brass Artist and performs on the Voigt J-475 Contrabass Trombone.

John has performed with the Oregon Symphony, the Eugene Symphony, the Vancouver (WA) Symphony, the Newport Symphony, the Oregon Ballet, Portland Opera, Andrea Bocelli, the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Mt. Angel Abbey Bach Festival.

John Ohnstad’s chair is sponsored by Col. Mary J. Mayer, USAF (Ret).

The Trombone Section is sponsored by Mardy & Hank Stevens.