Jin Tielin, renowned Chinese vocal professor, musician and former president of the China Conservatory of Music, died on Tuesday in Beijing at age 83.

Jin was born in 1940 to a family of doctors in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, but had a soft spot for music since childhood.

In August 1960, Jin was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music, the best music school in the country at that time, and studied under professor Shen Xiang, a famous vocal educator. After graduation in 1965, Jin became a soloist at the Central Orchestra.

From 1981 to 1985, Jin took a teaching post at the China Conservatory of Music and began to explore teaching methods in national vocal music. Through years of practice and experience, he gradually developed a teaching path suitable for the singing of Chinese ethnic music. From 1996 to September 2009, he served as the president of the conservatory.

Jin trained many singers throughout his life. Famous vocalists such as Yan Weiwen, Zhang Ye and Dai Yuqiang all studied under his tutelage.