Born in Heilongjiang in the north of China, Shengnan Cao was educated at China Conservatory Affiliated High School, Central Conservatory in Beijing, Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Some of her most influential teachers have been the composers Wanchun Shi, Weiya Hao, Reiko Fueting, and the pianist Shuwen Lin. Other professors have Zhou Long, Paul Rudy, Yotam Haber, Susan Botti, David Adamcyk, etc. Shengnan is currently completing her DMA in composition at the UMKC Conservatory under the guidance of Chen Yi. 

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As a composer, Shengnan Cao has received many prizes, awards, scholarships, and commissions. Shengnan has collaborated with the China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, China National Opera House Symphony Orchestra, China Youth Symphony Orchestra, MSM Composer’s Orchestra, Music From China, the AMF Contemporary Ensemble, Toronto New Music Ensemble, Unheard-of Ensemble, UMKC Saxophone Ensemble, and so forth.