Zhenyan Li

We are really excited to announce that the 2026 JAM Composer Residency begins this Monday in Littlestone, Kent. ‘Into the Bellows’ brings together three UK composers: @zhenyan___ , @georgewparris and Noah Max for a fully-funded residential programme on the Kent coast, exploring the art of writing for accordion in collaboration with internationally acclaimed accordionist @ryan.accordion . Across the week, our composers will work closely with mentors @profbgb LVO and @johnfrederickhudson (JAM’s Artistic Director), developing new works through workshops, rehearsals, discussion and creative collaboration; thus culminating in world premiere performances at the JAM on the Marsh festival this July and in London later this year. For over 25 years, JAM has championed living composers and created opportunities for new music to thrive. This residency continues that mission: supporting bold artistic voices, collaboration and the creation of new work at the highest level. Discover more about our Composer Residency via our website or LinkTree! #ComposerResidency #NewMusic #ContemporaryMusic #JAMFestival #LivingComposers

We are so excited for the world première of 'Eat Your Rage', our brand new commission from the wonderful composer @zhenyan___ - be the first to see it at St John's Waterloo, 7.30pm on 20th June, for the launch concert of our annual Alpine Tour. And the best part? Tickets are pay-what-you-can! Get yours now on our website, or by following the link in our story! #concert #newmusic #eatyourrage #london

INTP, inspired by the Myers–Briggs personality type ,for @londonsymphonyorchestra , will be workshopped tomorrow at the @lsostlukes . . Conducted by @jackfrsheen . Alongside new pieces by @amy.crankshaw @marcelbatiment @milesvwalter @elifkarlidag_ @mccarthykit @laila_arafah_ @compjyh #mbti #intp #intpproblems #contemporarymusic

Unlike every other planet in this suite, OGLE-2016-BLG-1928 orbits no star. It drifts alone through deep space — one of possibly billions of 'dead' worlds wandering the galaxy, almost impossible to detect. In her movement of The Exoplanets, composer @zhenyan___ doesn't simply evoke isolation, but the rich imaginative darkness that comes with it. The orchestra throws contrasts into sharp relief — light against dark, chaos against stillness — before receding entirely, leaving a single violin alone in the silence. Isolated, adrift, and briefly, vividly present. Then gone. Special thanks to Dr Ruth Angus (Associate Curator of Astrophysics, @amnh ) 🙏 🎻 Violin solo performed in rehearsal by our Creative Director Alexandra Wood Tomorrow! 13 March | @hackneyempire Hosted by @robinince1969 and @jen__gupta 🔗 in bio 📽 Footage by @benhigginsondirects and animations from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, including NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC) 🎼 Score animations adapted from @a440.live 's digital companion to The Exoplanets (link in bio) 🪐 Planet visualisation adapted from NASA's Strange New Worlds gallery

Inside this exoplanet 🌌: chocolate, coffee, caramel & banana cake. My piece OGLE-2016-BLG-1928, from the suite The Exoplanets, will receive London premiere this Friday 13/03 with @cityoflondonsinfonia at @hackneyempire ✨ Hosted by @robinince1969 and @jen__gupta #ogle2016blg1928 #exoplanets #astrophysics

‘Exposure’ New Opera commissioned by @second_movement_ . Huge thanks to our incredible team: Librettist: @nicolawarnerrrr Conductor: @oliviaclarkeconductor The voice: @etaylorsoprano ; Laura: @suziepurr Eddie: @juleschoulambert Violin: @chihiro119ono Bassoon: @myeverydayeveryday Cello: @michaels.ben Director: @finnbeamesandco Special thanks to @claireshov @abigail.toland 🙏🙏🙏 P3&4 📷: @craigfullerphotography Congrats to @elifkarlidag_ and @vinimottauk !

Still buzzing from the premiere of The Exoplanets, co-produced by @cityoflondonsinfonia and @curious_local , premiered @norwichtheatre ✨ Very happy to be part of this mind-blowing programme!! So glad to work with @anibal.vidal.a @samfernando @haigher @pauchisasaki @theowhitworth #blasiokavuma 🎶 The show will receive its London premiere at @hackneyempire in March 2026. See you there!! #TheExoplanets #CityOfLondonSinfonia #HolstPlanets #Norwich #HackneyEmpire #LondonPremiere #Astrophysics #ScienceArt #ContemporaryArt #NewMusic

"Morning Coffee" for flute, voice, and electronics Voice: @sdacey | Flute: Sara Minelli Big thanks to the amazing performers, and to @aaronhollowaynahum , @riotensemble , @philcashian , and @andreabalencybearn for bringing this project to life! ❤️❤️ #coffee #coffeedaily #londoncoffee #contemporarymusic

Behind the scenes of multidisciplinary work’The Exoplanet’—- ‘OGLE-BLG-1195Lb’ with @cityoflondonsinfonia and @curious_local . Excited for the performance this September. 📸: @belinda.lawley

Still can’t believe I got to perform Chinese flute at both @courtauld and @royalacademyofmusic Duke’s Hall! 7 miniatures to pair with 7 of Seurat’s miniature works from the Courtauld collection — such a dream to bring them to life through sound. Loved performing with @saurabh_shivakumar @becky_peichi @italo_joe joe — and huge thanks to @cevannemusic and @courtauldres for making it all happen! (1st)Photo credit: @picturesbypatterson

Very excited to be part of the one-and-only ‘The Exoplanet’ production with @cityoflondonsinfonia in partnership with @curious_local !💫🌠🌌 Excited to create this cross-genre and immersive orchestral suite with @anibal.vidal.a @_samfernando_ @theowhitworth blasiokavuma @pauchisasaki and @haigher ❤️ See you this September 2025 in Norwich and March 2026 in London! Thanks for the support from @nasa @amnh 💙 #star #exoplanet #crossgenre #contemporary #olgb

Very VERY lucky to be a part of the LSO Panufnik family! Looking forward to working with the 🥁🥁🥁@londonsymphonyorchestra , @christianmasonmusic and #colinmatthews ♥️♥️ . . And BIG congrats 🥂 to @amy.crankshaw @elifkarlidag_ @mccarthykit @marcelbatiment @milesvwalter 💙