BIOGRAPHY

Cicy Li, born in Shenzhen, China, began studying the piano at the age of three and a half. She began her study abroad journey in South Dakota at age of 14. She moved to Seattle to pursue her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Seattle Pacific University, where she studied with Dr. Dainius Vaicekonis. She continued her studies in Seattle at the University of Washington, where she completed her Masters of Music degree under the guidance of distinguished professor Dr. Robin McCabe. She continues her studies with Dr. McCabe at the UW Doctoral program.

This past fall, Cicy performed Ravel’s Jeux d’eau for the UW Donor Recognition Gala, held in September in the Suzzallo Library. She reprised her performance for the entire UW community on October 15, performing just before UW President Robert Jones’s inaugural address at the President's Annual Welcome gathering. Her recent honors also include being named a winner of the 2024 UW Concerto Competition, where she performed Beethoven’s "Emperor" Concerto with the Northwest Sinfonietta at Meany Hall, and receiving the Platinum Award in the 2026 Brahms International Online Music Competition.

Cicy was selected as a top-prize winner in the Chopin NW Festival and SPU’s Annual Concerto Competition. In 2018, Cicy performed Ravel’s Concerto in G major with conductor Julia Tai at First Free Methodist Church. She attended the International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Hunter College in New York City. She has also enjoyed masterclasses with artists including Emanuel Ax, Douglas Humphrey, Jerome Rose, Christopher Harding, Angela Cheng, Jean-Louis Haguenauer, Garrick Ohlssohn and Eroica Trio.

Cicy enjoys collaborating with other musicians and has performed at a variety of venues, including the Hearthstone at Green Lake, Skyline Retirement Community, Aegis Living in Kirkland, and Saint Clement’s Church. In December 2024, she participated in the Las Vegas Chamber Music Institute, performing at the University of Nevada School of Music. She also performed solo and chamber music at the Borromeo Music Festival in Altdorf, Switzerland. At the University of Washington, Cicy continues to perform in chamber ensembles under the direction of Christine Lee.

Cicy previously served as a Leading Teaching Assistant at the University of Washington and has taught at several studios, including the Seattle Piano Academy, Olympic Piano Academy, and Bel Canto Piano Academy. She is currently on the faculty at the Pacific Northwest School of Music and serves as a pianist at Crown Hill Church and A Seattle Church.