In spring of 2008, in conjunction with International Freindship Through the Performing Arts, Gao Hong Dice (Music) received a $4,000 MetLife Creative Connections grant from Meet the Composer, Inc. to perform outreach concerts and events associated with the world premiere of her first choral composition, “The Coming of Spring.” Additionally she was awarded her third prestigious McKnight Foundation McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians, for $27,000. For more information on Gao’s work and upcoming performances, visit Gao’s personal website.