Born in South Korea, Chang moved to the U.S. at 13 to attend Juilliard. He later studied at Curtis, and following graduation joined the Philadelphia Orchestra as associate principal violist. In 1997 Chang founded the Johannes Quartet with violinists Robert Chen and Soovin Kim and cellist Peter Stumpf.

Chang teaches both violin and viola; his former pupils include current members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chang recently auditioned with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and will hear results of that audition in a month. But he told the paper that his heart is with the Philadelphia Orchestra, suggesting that he would likely turn down the Los Angeles position.