Music can be a sanctuary, a challenge, and a triumph. For Zeren Brighton Li, a rising senior at Westview High School in sunny San Diego, the piano became all these things—a refuge where struggle transformed into achievement, not just through prodigious talent, but more by a deep love of music.
Starting as a six-year-old, Zeren was drawn into piano playing by his older brother’s playing initially. His piano journey, however, did not begin with fireworks. Focus was elusive, and lessons were filled with fidgeting and distraction. Still, his patient teacher, Dr. Sui, never gave up—and neither did Zeren. His fascination with sound and melody never faded. Improvisation became his gateway to self-expression. On his most restless days, music anchored Zeren’s attention, transforming chaotic energy into creative performance.
Even the heavy course load of high school did not keep Zeren away from the piano. His love of music and relentless determination finally began to bear fruit. In 2024, Zeren won Fifth Prize and the Best Performance of Russian Music award at the WPTA Italy IPC, as well as several top awards from other music competitions. But he is not stopping. Zeren continues to challenge himself, striving for ever higher goals in piano performance—one note at a time.
You can find Zeren’s 2024 Winter Music Competition piano performance here.
Watch Zeren Brighton Li perform Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor Op. 31 by Frédéric Chopin on the piano for the 2025 World Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.