Music Department

Director of the Suzuki Violin Academy and Conductor of the Orchestra

Selected 2003 Outstanding University Faculty Member

Courses Taught

110 Music Appreciation

151/351 and 152/352 Orchestra

231 String Techniques

Applied Music String - Elective and Major Suzuki Program

Dr. Kexi Liu , a native of Beijing China, came to the United States in 1984. He received his Master of Music Degree at East Carolina University in 1987 and earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1993. He is the first person to receive a doctorate in violin performance in the University of North Carolina system and is also the first from Mainland China to receive such a degree. Since 1991, he has been on the music faculty at Missouri Southern State University. He is currently a professor of music at MSSU, director of Suzuki Violin Academy, and director of Southern Symphony Orchestra. Before he came to America, he had been a first violin in the China Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, now China Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the major orchestras in China, and had taught at Beijing Broadcasting College.

Dr. Liu is an active performer. He frequently performs solo recitals and chamber music concerts and conducts orchestral concerts in America, Asia, and Europe. He is enthusiastic about introducing Chinese music to American people. He performed the American premiere of the first Chinese violin concerto, Liang and Zhu-The Butterfly Lovers, in 1992 and conducted the American premiere of the string orchestra version of The Reflection of the Moon on Erquan Spring. In 2007, he conducted the world premiere of a commissioned work by renowned composer Zhou Long.

Dr. Liu is a sought-after adjudicator, judging at regional and state festivals and competitions. Dr. Liu is also a published author. His publications in music include two books, translations, and articles including one on violin teaching published in the prestigious British journal, The Strad.