Vanessa Li, Violin
Vanessa lives life rooted in the fabric of her community, by promoting health and the performing arts.
When she was five years old, her dad—who is a self-taught violinist and classical music aficionado—began teaching her violin. Vanessa took to it quickly and soon needed private lessons. By middle school, she had joined the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra and played with them through high school—her last year as concert master.
Also while in high school, she started volunteering in assisted living facilities and offering a little music therapy. That continued during her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California, where she majored in Public Policy and minored in Economics and Global Health. While there, she played with a chamber orchestra, accompanying music students who wanted to perform concertos; some of her free time was also spent playing with Remedy Through Music, a group that performs therapeutic music for hospital patients, at-risk children and senior citizens.
Then, on to the University of Washington for a Master of Public Health. In addition to her studies, she dabbled in practicums across the country, including in Rochester, Minnesota, at the Mayo Clinic and in Boston with the MITRE Corporation. During her time in Boston working as an epidemiologist, she joined the world’s first symphony orchestra (Me2/) created for individuals with mental illnesses and their allies. Under maestro Ronald Braunstein (a Juilliard graduate and student of Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan) Vanessa found a community that was passionate about both music and the human condition. “That group is very close to my heart and has blessed me with dear friendships.”
Vanessa returned to the Bay Area in mid-2021, continuing her research on the impacts of socio-structural factors on health and disease. Her work spans population factors, mental health and substance use conditions, and homelessness. Her role at MITRE supports government agencies including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, National Institutes of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
So what else is she up to? She and her dog Orion are a certified therapy team with the SFSPCA and Anchor Hospice, offering companionship and cuddles in a variety of patient-settings. She also plays in the pit orchestra of Bay Area’s Youth Musical Theater Company (“musical theater is my absolute favorite performing arts genre”), where you can find her in the quintet of “Sunday in the Park with George” this spring.
Vanessa says she’s thrilled to have found Prometheus. “I was looking for a non-competitive community of musicians, and it’s a joy to play among friends and share our music with the community.”
“I’m very grateful to my dad for introducing me to the violin at a young age. It’s a gift that’s had a positive impact on my life in so many ways.” Mr. Li, Prometheus thanks you too!
~ Joyce Vollmer
