1973年生於南投縣竹山鎮，12歲由張文雄、張文敬兩位老師啟蒙北管，17歲加入西田社布袋戲劇團接觸布袋戲，19歲進入亦宛然掌中劇團學藝，一年後正式入選為已故大師李天祿傳統布袋戲傳藝藝生，並隨劇團赴美比英日等國家巡迴演出，開啟了職業傳統樂師生涯。為充實自已專業，1995年正式拜入北管大師邱火榮門下，除專研北管戲曲，也體會到一位成熟的傳統樂師必得有全面性的磨練與涉獵。1998年加入河洛歌子戲團，向呂永輝先生學習京劇，從此在布袋戲、北管、歌子戲等各劇種中展現身手。
除演出外，也參與音樂設計及專案研究之曲譜整理，並積極投入教學工作。曾任教於台北市立社會教育館、北市興隆國小布袋戲社、北市內湖國中北管社團、北市日新國小北管社、五股河洛藝術工坊布袋戲社團、國立台灣戲曲專科學校歌仔戲科……等。曾擔任河洛歌仔戲團執行長、國立臺北藝術大學駐校藝術家一職。

     Lin Yung-chih was born in Zhushan, Nantou County, Taiwan, in 1973. At age 12, he began learning beiguan (traditional music genre) under Chang Wen-hsiung and Chang Wen-jing. He joined Seden Society Puppet Theater at age 17 and I Wan Jan Puppet Theater two years later to train for puppetry. At age 20, Lin was selected for a traditional art project for the renowned late puppeteer Li Tien-lu. That marks the beginning of his career as a traditional musician. He has since participated in tours to the US, Belgium, UK, Japan and other countries with his troupe. To further build on his professional skills, Lin became an apprentice to beiguan master Chiu Huo-jung in 1995. While delving into beiguan theater music, Lin came to acknowledge the comprehensive training and experience needed for a truly sophisticated traditional musician. In 1998, Lin began working for Holo Taiwanese Opera Troupe and also studied Peking opera under Lu Yung-hui. With extensive experience in Taiwanese hand puppet theater, beiguan and Taiwanese opera, Lin is now regarded as a highly versatile artist.
    Apart from performing, Lin has also engaged in music design, sheet music compilation and teaching. He has served as the CEO of Holo Taiwanese Opera Troupe and was a resident artist at Taipei National University of the Arts.