Trombonist Zhao Lei has collaborated with major orchestras such as the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Shanghai Opera House, the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. He has extensive experience in wind ensembles. In 2017 and 2018, he participated in the Thailand International Trombone Festival, performing alongside esteemed artists. In 2019, he attended the Alessi Seminar and the Asian Brass Festival, where he was selected for the advanced study group and studied with Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic), Paul Pollard (Metropolitan Opera), and Jeremy Wilson (Vanderbilt University).  

In 2015, Zhao won second place in the Wind Instrument Concerto Competition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. During his time at school, he frequently represented the institution in music exchanges and performances in countries such as the United States and Australia. In 2016, Zhao was awarded a full scholarship to the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore, where he studied with Zachary Bond, Marques Young, and Sam Armstrong. In 2020, he was accepted to The Tianjin Juilliard School majoring in Orchestral Studies. In 2021, Zhao Lei served as a wind ensemble mentor at Tianjin Juilliard Pre-College.