Yang Hongnian (1934–2020) is a conductor, music educator, lifelong member of the Academic Committee of the Central Conservatory of Music, and professor of the Department of Conducting of the Central Conservatory of Music. In 2013, the China Choral Association awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award; in January 2014, the Chinese Culture Promotion Society awarded him the honorary title “Chinese Cultural Icon of the Year 2013”. In 2015, Professor Yang served as President of the World Choir Council Academic Committee (Germany). In the same year, he was invited to join the Presidium of the World Choir Games as a permanent member. Professor Yang composed and adapted a large number of choral works, and published more than 30 recordings and video products (including CDs and DVDs), as well as seven children’s choir collections.

His books Chorus Training, Children’s Chorus Training, and Orchestra Training are important reference books in the field of performing arts education. Professor Yang won national awards for these works. In 2013, he won the first prize of Wenhua Award at the 17th Choral and Chamber Music Competition held by the Ministry of Culture of China for his choral work Introduction and Toccata.

Professor Yang founded the Beijing Philharmonic Choir in 1983. In the past 40 years, this choir has traveled to countries and regions in Europe, America and Asia, and won 40 awards at important competitions at home and abroad, including four prizes at the 44th International Guido d'Arezzo Polyphonic Contest in Italy in 1996 and the top prize in the 65th International Guido d'Arezzo Polyphonic Contest in 2017.

Professor Yang is widely admired for his unique performing style and outstanding achievements in chorus education. He was praised as “a maestro who masters the mystery of choral art perfectly.”