Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore (YSTCM), is the first conservatory in Singapore that offers full-time major studies leading to a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree and the Master of Music Degree.

With 220 full-time music students representing over 20 countries in each full cohort, the Conservatory is a premier performing arts centre and education institution showcasing a large volume of high quality public performances each season. Taught and mentored by artist faculty who made their mark in the key performing centres of North America, Europe and Asia, the Conservatory's environment is distinctively contemporary and international. Conservatory students enjoy extensive opportunities in performances and participate frequently in masterclasses and festivals across Asia, Europe and America (Aspen, Holland Music Sessions, Keshet Eilon Music Festival, Lausanne Summer University, Ozawa Academy, Prussia Cove, Texas Music Festival, Verbier).

History

The school was founded as the Singapore Conservatory of Music, in partnership with the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. It was renamed the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in 2003 in recognition of a gift from the family of the late Dr Yong Loo Lin to the Conservatory. Following gifts of more than S$50 million in the last decade from the Yong family, full scholarships have been provided to all students admitted to the Conservatory's undergraduate programme since its opening in August 2003.

Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree

The Conservatory offers the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree programme which is a four-year, full-time course focusing on performance, composition and recording arts with appropriate supporting academic studies.

The programme is designed to prepare performing and creative musical artists for a diverse range of relevant graduate or professional opportunities, in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. The major studies offered in the B.Mus degree programme include the following: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Harp, Piano, Voice, Composition, Recording Arts & Science.

Master of Music Degree

The Master of Music Degree programme is currently only open to Singaporeans, and offers majors in orchestral instruments and piano performance, conducting and composition.

Young Artist Programme

Since 2008, the Conservatory introduced a Young Artist Programme with the support of the National Arts Council in Singapore. Designed for students aged 15 - 17, the highly competitive programme holds places for a maximum of 10 students and provides them professional music training while they continue their studies in Singapore schools.

CPE Certificate in Music Leadership, YSTCM (NUS)

In 2015, the Conservatory launched the CPE (Continuing Professional Education) Certificate in Music Leadership programme. The programme, which is a non-degree course, requires 1-3 years part-time study for completion, intended for current or aspirant professional musicians and music teachers in Singapore to advance their formal qualifications.

Director

• 2001 - 2005: Dr Steven Baxter
• 2005 - 2007: Dr Gene Aitken
• 2007 - present: Professor Bernard Lanskey

Senior Management

• Professor Bernard Lanskey, Director
• Associate Professor Craig De Wilde, Deputy Director
• Associate Professor Chan Tze Law, Associate Director (Ensembles and Professional Development)
• Ms Rachel Tang, Associate Dean (Administration)
• Mr Tan Wei Boon, Senior Associate Director (Admissions, Student Affairs and Alumni Relations)
• Ms Jenny Ang, Senior Associate Director (Strategic Planning and External Relations)

Faculty

Strings

• Qian Zhou, Head of Strings
• Zuo Jun, Head of Violin Studies
• Zhang Manchin, Head of Viola Studies
• Qin Li-Wei, Head of Cello Studies
• Igor Yuzefovich, Artist Faculty, Violin
• Alexander Souptel, Artist Faculty, Violin
• Ng Yu-Ying, Artist Faculty, Violin
• Ang Chek Meng, Artist Faculty, Violin
• Lionel Tan, Artist Faculty, Viola
• Ng Pei-Sian, Artist Faculty, Cello
• Leslie Tan, Artist Faculty, Cello
• Guennadi Mouzyka, Artist Faculty, Double Bass

Woodwinds

• Zhang Jin Min, Head of Woodwind Studies
• Rachel Walker, Artist Faculty, Oboe
• Carolyn Hollier, Artist Faculty, Oboe
• Jin Ta, Artist Faculty, Flute
• Ma Yue, Artist Faculty, Clarinet
• Marcel Luxen, Artist Faculty, Clarinet

Brass

• Brett Stemple, Head of Brass Studies
• Han Chang Chou, Artist Faculty, Horn
• Jamie Hersch, Artist Faculty, Horn
• Jon Dante, Artist Faculty, Trumpet
• William Theis, Artist Faculty, Trumpet
• Allen Meek, Artist Faculty, Trombone
• Shannon Pittaway, Artist Faculty, Trombone

Percussion

• Jonathan Fox, Artist Faculty, Percussion

Harp

• Gulnara Mashurova, Artist Faculty, Harp

Voice

• Alan Bennett, Head of Vocal Studies

Piano

• Thomas Hecht, Head of Piano Studies
• Albert Tiu, Associate Professor, Piano
• Kerim Vergazov, Accompanist/Senior Lecturer, Piano Accompaniment
• Liu Jia, Accompanist
• Low Shao Suan, Accompanist
• Low Shao Ying, Accompanist
• Choi Hye-Seon, Accompanist
• Ge Xiaozhe, Accompanist

Recording Arts and Science

• Zhou Xiaodong, Senior Lecturer

Composition

• Ho Chee Kong, Head of Composition Studies
• Peter Edwards, Associate Professor, Composition

Ensembles and Professional Development

• Jason Lai, Principal Conductor, The Conservatory Orchestra
• Chan Tze Law, Conductor, New Music Ensemble
• Shane Taylor Constante, Associate Professor
• T'ang Quartet, Quartet-in-Residence
• Lim Yan, Chamber Music Coaching

Academic Studies

• Peter Edwards, Associate Professor
• George Hess, Associate Professor
• Tony Makarome Yue, Associate Professor
• Greg Peterson, Associate Professor
• Koo Siaw Sing, Assistant Professor
• Anne Marshman, Assistant Professor
• Kawai Shiu, Assistant Professor
• Katherine Wallace, Assistant Professor
• Adeline Wong, Lecturer