“Currently based in Georgia, the United States, where she is assistant professor of composition at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia, Koh graduated from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and did her postgraduate studies at the Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University and Brandeis. Her works have been performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the New York Music Ensemble and the Malaysia Philharmonic. She was shocked when she heard about the award as she “always feels nobody knows or understands” what she does. “The award is a very humbling experience… it makes me feel like maybe I’m not as alone in my endeavour as I felt. It’s very encouraging to be supported. I hope to use the award in a couple of years’ time to record an opera in Boston which I’m writing. And I hope L’Arietta in Singapore will perform this opera.”