Effie Li, 16, a senior at Montgomery High School (MHS), was 4 years old when she first started studying piano with her grandfather, shortly before transitioning to her aunt, Yuhui Chloris Li. With her guidance, Effie was able to achieve the 5 year award for the NJMTA Spring Audition, as well as having competed and awarded in the MEA competition, the NJMTA Young Musicians Competition, and the Composer Commission Competition.

At age 9, Effie was labeled as a special student in Mrs. Clarfield’s studio, which resulted in eventually getting accepted as a regular student. Since then, Effie has amassed numerous awards as both a solo pianist and a duet member. Effie and her sister, Sammi, were awarded second place for the national division of the Music Teachers National Association Senior Piano Duet Competition and first place for the MEA Annual Piano Competition. As a soloist, Effie won first place in the Piano Teachers Congress of New York Honors Program Competition. She also won second place in the Joseph Israel Bookstaber Memorial Competition, along with the silver award in the Bravura Young Artists Concerto Competition. Additionally, Effie won third place in the Bohemians Young Artists Piano Competition. Effie has had the honor of performing in notable venues, including Kaufman Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Carnegie Hall, and in masterclasses with John Perry and Yoheved Kaplinsky. She also performs in nursing/senior homes in order to utilize her talents towards the benefit of others.

Effie expresses her passion for music not only by studying with Mrs. Clarfield, but also by joining musical groups elsewhere. Effie was selected as a pianist into the MHS Pit Orchestra for the annual spring musical. Effie was accepted into the MHS Peer Leadership 2 program, elected the president of the MHS International Club, and a member of MHS Blue Moon Music.

In her free time, Effie is committed to watching asian dramas and anime across various genres in order to broaden her understanding of different cultural perspectives. Effie also draws and crochets to strengthen her artistic and creative senses. She enjoys playing Minecraft with her friends in order to train her collaboration and problem-solving skills.