Praised for a stage presence defined by warmth and vulnerability, Christine Marie Li is a Taiwanese-American mezzo-soprano dedicated to the art of honest storytelling. For Christine, the operatic stage is not a museum, but a living, breathing space where the human experience is expanded upon. She is driven by the belief that we can deeply love and perform the masterworks of the past while simultaneously breathing life into the voices of today and those whose stories have remained untold.

This dual commitment defines her artistry. Christine is a passionate advocate for expanding the traditional canon, bringing a focused curiosity to works that reflect the diversity of the human perspective, such as Asian-composed and contemporary repertoire. Whether she is performing pieces in less standard languages or premiering new roles, she views music as a vital mirror for our shared humanity.

She brings this same sense of modern urgency to the traditional stage. To Christine, the "old works" remain relevant because their emotional core is timeless. Her recent performances include portraying the resilience and charm of Hansel (Hansel and Gretel) with Pacific Opera Project, the mythological depth of Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice) at USC, and the haunting complexity of Baba (The Medium) with Lyric Opera of Orange County.

Based in Los Angeles, Christine’s work is deeply informed by her doctoral research at the University of Southern California. Her academic interests span the fields of vocology and music pedagogy, with a particular focus on the psychology of unlearning, ameliorating performance anxiety, and the use of improvisation as a pedagogical tool. This science-based grounding allows her to approach both the stage and her studio with a unique blend of technical precision and emotional freedom.

As a faculty member at Pasadena City College and the University of La Verne, and within her private teaching studio, she nurtures the next generation of vocalists by prioritizing student autonomy and the belief that every voice is a unique being and instrument. Whether through a world premiere, a recital of Asian art song, or a lesson in the studio, Christine aims to create meaningful artistic experiences that honor where we have been while unabashedly singing into where we are going.