Bernice Li is a Canadian harpist and undergraduate student in the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, where she majors in Harp Performance. Her artistry is rooted in a deep interest in the expressive and orchestral possibilities of the harp, with experience spanning solo performance, orchestral playing, chamber collaboration, composition, and music theory.

Bernice began her musical studies on piano before discovering the harp at the age of eleven. The instrument quickly became the centre of her musical development, leading to advanced study and performances in both solo and ensemble settings. She is a National Gold Medalist in the Royal Conservatory of Music harp examinations at Levels 2, 6, and 10, and has developed a strong foundation in musical interpretation, technique, and musicianship. Her studies have also included violin and advanced music theory; she holds RCM certificates in Harp Level 10, Piano ARCT, Violin Level 9, and Music Theory ARCT.

As an orchestral harpist, Bernice has performed with ensembles across the Greater Toronto Area, including the York Symphony Orchestra and North York Concert Orchestra during the 2025–2026 season, the Kindred Spirits Orchestra during the 2024–2025 season, and the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2022 to 2025. Her ensemble experience also includes performances as a violinist with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra and Oakville Chamber Orchestra. These experiences have given her a broad understanding of the harp’s distinctive role within orchestral and chamber repertoire.

Bernice has received recognition in harp competitions in Canada and the United States. She was a Finalist and Honorable Mention in the Senior Division of the Hampton Roads Harp Festival Competition in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2025, a finalist in the 25th American Harp Society National Competition in Los Angeles in 2023, and a finalist in the Young Artist’s Harp Competition in Chestertown, Maryland, in 2022.

Alongside performance, Bernice has a particular interest in music theory and composition. She began composing at a young age and enjoys exploring the relationship between musical structure, harmony, instrumental colour, and the expressive capabilities of the harp. Her original composition Horizons of Hope, written for violin and harp, was selected for presentation through the Young Harpists-Composers Program at One Harp World 2026 in Toronto, an international gathering presented jointly by the American Harp Society and the World Harp Congress.

Bernice is also committed to sharing music beyond the concert stage. Since 2022, she has regularly volunteered as a harpist, violinist, and pianist at long-term care centres, bringing live music to residents who may not otherwise have access to performances. She also teaches harp and music theory to younger students, encouraging the next generation of musicians to develop both technical confidence and a lasting appreciation for music.

As a harpist, Bernice is particularly interested in the instrument’s wide expressive range and its ability to create colour, atmosphere, and musical narrative. She continues to develop as a performer, musician, and composer through her studies at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, with the goal of building a professional career that combines harp performance, orchestral and chamber music, and creative musical work.