Zhao Fang, professor of composition and vice Dean of School of Arts, Chairman of the Department of Music is a well-known composer in China.
Born in 1960 in Hubei Province, Zhao Fang learned to play the violin at Wuhan Conservatory of Music between 1972 and 1982. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the conservatory in 1982, he worked as a violin soloist in Yichang Singing and Dancing Troupe in Sichuan Province. In 1986 he became Assistant Director of the troupe. While working with this performing group, Zhao Fang developed his talent in composition. Between1988 and 1990 he studied composition at Wuhan Conservatory of Music. In 2001 he became Chairman of the Department of Arts at Sanxia University in southern China. In 2003 he started working as a resident composer for Beijing Singing and Dancing Troupe. In 2005 he began to work in School of Arts, Renmin University of China, teaching music theory and music appreciation.
As a well-known composer, Zhao Fang has created three large scale dance dramas, which were well received by the audience. He has also composed more than ninety songs, over sixty pieces of dance music, seventeen pieces of music video productions and two pieces of film music as well as instrumental compositions. Many of his works have won national awards. His representative work, Tulibaren, a major dance drama, won the Wenhua Prize from China’s Cultural Ministry and additionally five Top National Art Prizes given by another branch of the government in China. His Song of Turning a Millstone won the Gold Prize at National Children`s MTV Competition. His dance music, Making Clay Figurines received the first Dandelion Prize and his music, Lily, got the highest literature prize, Beijing Literature & Art Prize given by Beijing municipal government and Party committee.
