Koo Siaw Sing

Dr. Koo Siaw Sing is a Senior Lecturer in Contextual Studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore. He specializes in piano performance, pedagogy, and music history, teaching modules such as the Social History of the Piano and Keyboard Studies. Previously, he held roles as Assistant Professor at Augustana College (Illinois) and Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of Oregon.

His research focuses on Chinese piano repertoire, Debussy, Schumann, and Chopin, with notable lecture-performances on these topics. He has presented at international conferences like the World Piano Pedagogy Conference and Singapore International Piano Pedagogy Symposium. His awards include the Freeman Foundation Grant and scholarships from prestigious institutions.

Siaw Sing has extensive performance experience, including masterclasses with renowned artists like John Browning and Karl Ulrich Schnabel. He also served as President of the Singapore Music Teachers’ Association, expanding the Singapore Performers’ Festival to include 650 participants from 19 nationalities. Beyond academia, he adjudicates competitions, conducts masterclasses, and holds roles as an external examiner and advisory panel member.

His educational background includes degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Oregon, with studies in piano, violin, and music technology. He has collaborated with institutions like the Central China Normal University and Shanghai Conservatory of Music through exchange programs.