Pianist and vocal coach Chao Gao earned her DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan under the guidance of renowned pianist and vocal coach, Martin Katz. During her years abroad, she also studied with Kirk Severtson, Timothy Cheek, Mary Sauer, and Chun Yee Yu. Dr. Gao has built up an impressive repertoire in the vocal arts field, and has performed and coached in Asia, North America, and Europe. She has worked as a guest pianist and vocal coach with the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, resident vocal coach for Chicago Summer Opera, assistant conductor/chorus master at Arbor Opera Theater, and vocal coach at Prague Summer Nights. An avid chamber musician and educator, Dr. Gao has performed and coached in many countries. Some of her groups earned prizes at the Singapore National Competition.