- Selected as a Recording Academy Chicago Chapter Governor e Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter

- Selected as a Recording Academy Chicago Chapter Songwriters & Composers Wing Committee Co-Chairs

- Honored Distinguisjed Professorship from the Guangdong Vocational and Technical University of Business and Technology School of Dance and Music, Zhaoqing, Guangdong in China

2022

- Mayor Melvin Carter of Minnesota's capital city proclaimed April 3, 2022 to be "Gao Hong Day”  in the City of St. Paul

- "Terri Kunda (House of Friendship)" album by Gao Hong and Kadialy Kouyate - Winner of the 2022 Global Music Award Gold  Medals - Best Duo and Best Instrumentalist 

- Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Commission from the Minnesota Orchestra

- Commission from the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis

- The short film "Gao Hong: Composer and Pipa Player” produced by Minnesota Orchestra’s Ashleigh Rowe and Gao Hong has been nominated for an Upper Midwest Emmy Award

- Elected to be an advisor to the board of the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter

2021

- ”Hunting Eagles Catching Swans" - Pudong pipa music by Master Linshicheng and Gao Hong album - Winner of the 2021 Global Music Award Gold  Medals -Best Album an dBest Instrumental

- Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Individual Artist Grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council

- Commission from the Minnesota Sinfonia

- Commission from the Kenwood Symphony Orchetra

- "Whispering Under the Moon" music with Issam Rafea was awarded the "Outstanding Prize" in the first international Huawei Music competition in China

- Awarded the "Excellent Teacher Award" from the Dunhang Cup Chamber Music International Competition in Beijing, China

2020

- "From Our World to Yours" - Winner of the 2020 Global Music Award Gold Medals - Best Album and Best Instrumentals

- Folk and Traditional Arts Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Arts Tour Minnesota grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- USArtists International grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

- Appointed a voting member of the Grammys from the Recording Academ

- Awarded the "Excellent Teacher Award" from the Chinese Bridge · Global Music International Music Talent Video Competition

- Commission from the Central Conservatory of Music Beijing, China

2019

- Winner of the 2019-2020 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music

- Folk and Traditional Arts Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2018

- The Sally "Commitment" Award from the Ordway Center For the Performing Arts

- Student-Faculty Fellows Program from ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation

- USArtists International grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

- Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Honored Guest Professor Title at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing

- Honored Guest Professor Title at the Hebei Provincial School for the Arts in China

- An Outstanding Teacher Award from the Third Season of the Liaoyuan Cup Pipa  Competition in Beijing

- "Life As Is " - Winner of the 2018 Global Music Award - Outstanding Album Award

- Arts Tour Minnesota grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Established Artist grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC)

2016

- USArtists International grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

- Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- "Pipa Potluck - Lutes Around the World" - Winner of the 2016 Global Music Award Silver Medal - Outstanding Album Award

- Gao Hong's composition "Green Willow Tree" won a Global Music Award Silver Medal - Outstanding Achievement for Instrumental Music

- Honored Guest Professor Title at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music in Tianjin China

2015

- Arts Tour Minnesota Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Arts Learning Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2014

- 416 Club Commissions by Cedar Cultural Center

- Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2013

- Folk and Traditional Arts Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Sorel Medallion from the Elizabeth & Michel Sorel Charitable Organization                  

- Student-Faculty Fellows Program from ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation

2012

- Winner of the 2012 Global Music Award - Award of Excellence Solo Instrumental (Gold Medal)

- Winner of the 2012-2013 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music.

- Arts Tour Minnesota Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Folk and Traditional Arts Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2011

- USArtists International grant form the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation-

- Arts Learning Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2010

- Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Student-Faculty Fellows Program from ASIANetwork Freeman Foundation

- Subito award from the American Composers Forum

2009

- Global Connections grant from the Meet The Composer Inc. in New York.

- USArtists International grant form the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

2008

- Winner of the 2008-2009 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music.

- MetLife Creative Connections Grant from the Meet The Composer Inc. in New York.

- Emerging Composer Commission from the Jerome Foundation.

- Subito award from the American Composers Forum

- Honored Guest Professor Tilte at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

2007

- The St Paul Listens from the American Composers Forum

- Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant

- Chinese Heritage Foundation Grant.

- Cultural Community Partnership Grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board

- Winner of 2007 Essentially Choral reading program by American Composers Forum and VocalEssence

- MetLife Creative Connections Grant from the Meet The Composer Inc. in New York.

2006

- Creative Connections award from the Meet The Composer Inc. in New York.

- Encore award from the American Composers Forum

2005

- Creative Connections (formerly The Meet The Composer Fund) from Meet The Composer Inc. in New York.

- Emerging Composer Commission from the Jerome Foundation.

- Subito award from the American Composers Forum

2004

- Bush Artist Fellowship for Traditional and Folk Arts

- Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

2003

- Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant

2002

- Commission from Walker Art Center for new works for "Gao Hong and Friends Around the World" concert.

- Emerging Composer Commission from the Jerome Foundation

2001

- Winner of the 2001-2002 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music.

- Commission from Ragamala Music and Dance Theater for Transposed Heads.

2000

-  LIN (Leadership Initiatives in Neighborhoods) Grant from The St. Paul Companies

- Commission from Twin Cities Public Television to compose and perform on the soundtrack of six-episode series Made In China.

- Commission from Theater Mu to compose music for play Song of the Pipa, based on Gao Hong's own life story and the life of Bai Juyi.

1998
- Received funding from the American Composers Forum's Performance Incentive Fund

- Included in Peoples' Publishing's Dictionary of Chinese Musicians
1997
- Winner of the 1997-1998 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Performing Musicians administered by MacPhail Center for Music.

- Artist Assistance Fellowship from Minnesota State Arts Board

- Jerome Foundation Travel and Study Grant

- Asian-Pacific Award from Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans

- Composers Commissioning Program Award from American Composers Forum

1996
- Received funding through Walker Art Center Community Partnership Fund for performances with Western orchestras and educational workshops administered by International Friendship Through the Performing Arts

- Received funding from the American Composers Forum's Performance Incentive Fund

- Included in The Dictionary of Contemporary Music Notables

- Featured in the book Famous People From Henan Province

1989
- Awarded International Art Cup (Beijing)

1984
- First Prize in Hebei Professional Young Music Performers Competition