TSE Chun-Yan is a renowned qin player in Hong Kong, and holds a PhD degree in ethnomusicology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He learned the zheng under CHOI Ngar-Si and studied music theory and composition under KWAN Sing-Yau in 1970s. In 1980s, he studied the qin under KWAN Sing-Yau, LAU Chor-Wah and then TSAR Teh-Yun. He has had numerous public performances in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas. He is a retired medical practitioner, and has taught in the Music Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He is currently a vice chairman of the Deyin Qin Society of Hong Kong, and an instrumental instructor on the qin in the Music Department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
For many years, he has taken part in composition, reconstruction of old scores, promotion, teaching and researches for the qin. One of his compositions, “Composition in yifan mode” is a test piece in the Grade 6 qin examination in China. He has published numerous research articles on the qin in publications including Musicology in China. He participated in the recording of various CD collections of qin music. His personal CDs, The Oil-Lamp Flickered and Autumn Moon and Winter Frost, were published in 2001 and 2011 respectively. Besides traditional pieces, the CDs include his new compositions and his reconstructions from old scores.