Famous erhu performer and educator Zhao Hanyang is a professor in the National Music Department of the Central Conservatory of Music and a supervisor on its doctoral programme, a member of the Chinese Musicians’ Association and the Artists’ Department of the China Talent Research Association, Vice President of the China Erhu Society, and a director of the China Nationalities Orchestra Society. In 1977, he was admitted to the Department of National Music of the Central Conservatory of Music and studied under the renowned erhu virtuoso and teacher, Professor Wang Guotong. In 1979, he won two first prizes in the music competition held by the Conservatory, and was selected to go on tour with the Conservatory’s Chinese orchestra to Britain, Ireland, Iraq and other countries. He has visited the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many other countries and regions to give lectures and performances. Zhao raduated from the Conservatory in 1982 and joined the faculty immediately. He is the recipient of the ‘Au Weng-hei Music Education Award’
presented by the Ministry of Culture and the ‘SGI Outstanding Contribution Award’ in Hong Kong.
Zhao has published 70 books and close to 100 papers on the subject of erhu. He is therefore the most prolific writer on erhu music, with the broadest, richest and most insightful information in China's erhu music circle. As a composer, he has over ten works, and a large number of audio and video releases which serve as teaching aid and for general enjoyment. Zhao frequently serves as an adjudicator in music Competition in China and in other parts of the world. He has two CD releases in 1994 which feature his erhu solo, Masters and Masterly Works in Chinese Traditional Instrumental Music – Moonlit Night and Autumn Moon in Han Palace. Zhao is listed in many compendia such as The Chinese Musicians Directory, Who's Who in the World, The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopaedia etc.
