Chen Zuohuang was born in Shanghai. He graduated from the Middle School Affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music in 1956, majoring in piano. In 1981, he graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music, majoring in conducting. In the summer of 1981, thanks to the invitation of the famous conductor, Seiji Ozawa, Chen Zuohuang went to the Tanglewood Music Centre and the University of Michigan to study. He got a masters degree in 1982. In 1985, he earned doctorate degree. He was the first music arts doctor in China.

From 1985 to 1987, Chen Zuohuang held the post of vice professor of the Arts College of Kansas University.

In 1987, Chen Zuohuang became the conductor of Central Philharmonic Orchestra, and he led this team to perform historical shows in 24 cities, like New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Those concerts gained great success, and were highly praised by audiences and music critics.

From 1990 to 2000, Chen Zuohuang was employed as the music chief inspector and conductor of the Witchita Symphony Orchestra. From 1992 to 1996, Chen Zuohuang was appointed to the post of the music chief inspector and conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. He was welcomed and respected by the musicians and audiences.

Chen Zuohuang was invited by many music troupes to be their conductor, including the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Mexico National Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Festival Orchestra, Hamburg Youth Orchestra, the Russia Phiharmonic Orchestra, Slovzk Radio Symphony Orchestra, Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pusan Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. He was called "a very talented musician", "his conducting is very charming".

In 1996, Chen Zuohuang quit his overseas jobs, and came back to China. He set up the China Symphony Orchestra on the basis of the original Central Philharmonic Orchestra, and became the first art chief inspector of the China Symphony Orchestra. The China Symphony Orchestra invited hundreds of talented musicians to perform works which promoted the development of Chinese symphony. Led by Chen Zuohuang, the orchestra's performances were praised by audiences and music reviewers.