Praised by The Washington Post for her “mesmerizing” and “stirring” performances, JIJI is an adventurous guitarist known for her virtuosity and command of diverse repertoire. Equally at home with both acoustic and electric guitar, her concert programs range from traditional and contemporary classical to free improvisation.
Through her impeccable musicianship, compelling stage presence, and commitment to commissioning and performing new musical works, JIJI has solidified her reputation as a top 21st- century guitarist. In 2021, The Washington Post selected JIJI as “one of the 21 composers/performers who sound like tomorrow,” and The Kansas City Star recently described her as “a graceful and nuanced player.” In recent seasons, JIJI has presented solo recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; Lincoln Center; 92nd Street Y; Caramoor; Celebrity Series of Boston; Caffe Lena; Tippet Rise Art Center; San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre; and the National Gallery of Art, among other distinguished venues. Her performances have been featured on PBS’s On Stage at Curtis, NPR’s From the Top, WHYY-TV, FOX 4-TV, The Vice Channel’s Munchies , Channel 6 Kansas’s The Not So Late Show, and Hong Kong broadcast station RTHK’s The Works. In 2016, she became the first guitarist in 30 years to secure first prize in the Concert Artists Guild Competition.
JIJI’s 2026-2027 season begins with her New World Symphony debut, performing Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, conducted by Marcelo Lehninger. Other highlights include debuts with the Houston Symphony, performing Steve Mackey’s concerto for electric and classical guitar, Aluminum Flowers, and with the Milwaukee Symphony, both conducted by David Robertson. She will perform in recital in Santa Barbara on UCSB’s Arts and Lectures series, with the Boston Classical Guitar Society and duo recitals with violinist Danbi Um in Linton, OH, and Shelter Island, NY.
In the 2025-2026 season, JIJI appeared at the Grand Teton Music Festival with Stéphane Denève, with the Auckland Philharmonia, with the Detroit Symphony, performing works by Arvo Pärt and Vivaldi, Rodrigo with the Amarillo Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and Auburn Symphony. Major recitals included BroadStage in Santa Monica, the Ellnora Guitar Festival at the Krannert Center, St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, San Francisco Performances in a duo recital with Jason Vieaux, as well as her recital debut in Seoul, Korea. JIJI made her London debut at the Barbican in a Julius Eastman project with the American Modern Opera Company.
JIJI has premiered solo and chamber works by a diverse range of musical artists, including David Lang, Nicky Sohn, Michael Gilbertson, Hilary Purrington, Shelley Washington, Kate Moore, Chris Rountree, Gulli Björnsson, Molly Joyce, and Paul Lansky. In 2024, JIJI released UNBOUND, the culmination of a multiyear commissioning and recording project. A sought-after and versatile collaborator, JIJI’s recent chamber and ensemble performances include appearances with the New York Philharmonic’s Nightcap Series; Cuarteto Latinoamericano; the Verona Quartet; Wildup; Duo Linu; and soprano Molly Netter, among others.
JIJI has gained a reputation as a sought-after concerto soloist. Recent appearances include performances with the Seattle Symphony in a world premiere of ljósíd, a new audio-visual work by Gulli Björnsson, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Asheville Symphony, Lincoln Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Duluth Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Philharmonic, Marquette Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony, Sinfonietta Riga, NewWest Symphony, New York Youth Symphony, American Composers Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and more. Equally fluent in classical and contemporary genres, her interpretation of Concierto de Aranjuez has enthralled audiences across the country, and her premieres of new guitar concertos, including Steven Mackey’s Aluminum Flowers in 2024, continue to break new ground. In recent years, JIJI has also premiered major concertos by composers Natalie Dietterich (light, beloved, 2018), Hilary Purrington (Harp of Nerves, 2019), and Krists Auznieks (Apvārsnis Kamolā, 2021).
A committed educator, JIJI is Associate Professor of Music in Guitar at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and former Assistant Professor of Guitar at Arizona State University’s School of Music, Dance and Theater. She has presented master classes and workshops extensively, including at the Peabody Institute, Eastman School of Music, Yale University, and Dublin’s National Concert Hall, among many others.
In addition to advocating for the music of her contemporaries, JIJI also performs and records many of her own works, and she continues to develop her distinctive compositional voice. During her spare time, JIJI enjoys cooking and creating weird sounds on Ableton. She is sponsored by Augustine Strings and GuitarLift by Felix Justen.
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JUNE 2026 - PLEASE DESTROY ALL PREVIOUSLY DATED MATERIALS