Ye is a representative figure of contemporary Chinese music and one of the country's best-known composers. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Chairman of the China Musicians Association, the Founding Dean of the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He holds key academic positions at several prestigious institutions such as the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK and Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in China. He is also the founder and artistic director of several major Festivals including the Beijing Modern Music Festival and the Shenzhen Belt & Road International Music Festival.

Ye has composed extensively across various genres,including symphonic music, chamber music, dance drama and opera, as well as for film and TV music. His symphonic works include Horizon, The Last Paradise, Song of the Earth, and the piano concerto Starry Sky, written for Lang Lang and performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. His works are published by Schott and have been performed globally by leading orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra.

Since 2013, his "China Story" concert series has promoted Chinese contemporary music worldwide. Ye has received numerous awards, including the Wenhua Music Award by the China Ministry of Culture. Ye actively advocates for the development of music and national arts education, and has contributed significantly to progress in the protection of intellectual property rights, and the promotion of cultural exchanges.