Commissioned Composer
~ Capriccio Tibetan for Solo Violin ~
Jianjun He, Composer
Jianjun He, Composer
Jianjun He, a native of China, received his BA in violin performance from Northwestern National University, MA in music theory from The Arts Academy of China, and DMA in composition from West Virginia University where he studied composition with John Beall. His compositions, numbering over ninety for a wide variety of media, are enjoying growing success in Asia and the United States. CD recordings of his music are available on ERM, VMM, Mark Masters, Navona, New Ariel, Innova, and Da Di labels. In addition to his musical creations, he has published books and research papers on music theory, compositional techniques, ethnomusicology, and music education. Dr. He is currently Professor of Composition and Theory at Jacksonville University (FL). He is also an honorary professor at several Chinese institutions including Hunan Normal University, Yantai University, and Ningxia University. Teaching related awards include “Excellent Teacher of Ningxia (1993),” “Casper College Rosenthal Outstanding Educator Award (2008),” and “Jacksonville University Excellence Award in Teaching (2014).”
Described by the Florida Times-Union as “a gifted musician with a very bright future,” violinist Likai He has performed extensively throughout the United States and Asia. As a soloist, Likai has appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony, Georgia Philharmonic, and the Columbus State University Philharmonic, among others. Likai has also performed at the Kennedy Center, Artist Series of Sarasota, Jacksonville Friday Musicale, and ARTCORE of Wyoming. Among Likai’s awards and honors include prizes at the Jacksonville Symphony Young Artists Competition, Artist Series of Sarasota Competition, Georgia Philharmonic Young Artists Competition, Young Texas Artists Competition, and Presser Award. In the fall of 2022, Likai joined the Nashville Symphony where he is currently Acting Assistant Concertmaster. Prior to his position in Nashville, Likai has performed with the Pittsburgh and Houston Symphonies. He is also a current member of the Grant Park Festival Orchestra.
Born into a musical family, Likai began his violin studies at the age of four with his father, Jianjun He. At the age of 16, Likai was admitted to the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, studying with Sergiu Schwartz, and awarded the prestigious Woodruff Award. Likai received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Cho-Liang Lin.
Born into a musical family, Likai began his violin studies at the age of four with his father, Jianjun He. At the age of 16, Likai was admitted to the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, studying with Sergiu Schwartz, and awarded the prestigious Woodruff Award. Likai received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Cho-Liang Lin.