Zoe Li

Auckland

Violin Lessons | Aural Lessons, Ensemble Coaching, Online Lessons

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• Qualifications: Bachelor degree of music, BMus( 1st class Hons) , MMA ( Erhu)
• Pricing: $45per half hour, $90 per hour
• Styles: classical
• Suitability: 5 years old to adult, all level

Bio

Zoe Li | Erhu Performer & Registered Music Teacher

Zoe Li is a professional erhu performer and music educator based in Auckland, New Zealand. The erhu, often described as the “Chinese violin,” is a traditional Chinese bowed instrument with only two strings.

Zoe completed her Bachelor of Music at Wintec, Hamilton, in 2019 and her Master of Music at Victoria University of Wellington in 2021. In 2025, she further completed a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) at Victoria University of Wellington and became a New Zealand registered teacher. With over nine years of teaching experience, Zoe teaches students from the age of five through to adults, from complete beginners to more advanced musicians.

Zoe began learning the erhu at the age of six. At 15, she began studying privately with renowned Chinese erhu performer Sun Huang and achieved Grade 10 in the C.M.C.A. (Chinese Music Cultural Arts) examination. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide range of quartets, ensembles, and orchestras in China, New Zealand, Singapore, and internationally, including the Beijing String Ensemble, NZ ECPF Quartet, and Singapore Folk Orchestra.

Her performance career includes numerous awards and international achievements. In 2005, Zoe received the Silver Award at the Beijing Strings Music Competition. In 2008, she was invited to perform the erhu at the “Bird’s Nest” during the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. In 2017, she received a Gold Award at the World Art Festival, where she also had the opportunity to meet former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir John Key. In 2019, she received the “Rising Star” Award at the final round of the Melbourne International Shaoqin Erhu Competition. In 2021, she achieved First Place in both the IMA International Music Competition and QMC Music Competition.

In 2022, Zoe performed as an erhu soloist with the Wellington City Orchestra, and in 2023, her students achieved First Prize at the Kapi-Mana Music Festival. In 2026, Zoe was invited to serve as a judge for the New Zealand International Music Competition, further reflecting her professional experience in both music performance and education.

While deeply rooted in traditional Chinese music and Western classical music, Zoe also enjoys exploring blues, jazz, and contemporary styles. She has performed in the electronica musical “Chloe and the Ghosts of Electric Souls” with composer and musician Dr Jeremy Mayall.

Zoe is passionate about inspiring creativity, confidence, and imagination through music. She believes that music education should give every child the opportunity to discover new possibilities, express themselves, and develop a lifelong love of music.

“Music education can spark a child’s imagination and ignite a lifetime of passion. It should not be a privilege for a lucky few, but a part of every child’s world of possibilities.”

Through her erhu lessons, Zoe aims to create an encouraging and engaging learning environment where students can develop strong musical skills while discovering the unique beauty of Chinese music and culture.

Teaching Info

•  I am happy to teach beginners to advanced. My teaching is centred around a solid technical foundation. I think that’s the most important part to learning the instrument!! when you know how to do something correctly and the rest will be much more easier. I also love to give my students more opportunity to attend the competition or concert ( both NZ and oversea) so they can got more experience and also lots of students find so much fine during that time. I don’t enforce exams but am happy to guide a student through them if that is suitable.