Peter Tornquist

Peter Tornquist is the Dean of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), appointed for a three-year term starting February 2022. He holds a 12-year professorship at NUS. With a background spanning composition, electronic music, and music education, he is renowned for advancing artistic research as a cornerstone of modern conservatory education. Previously, he served as Principal of the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) from 2013 to 2021, during which NMH significantly improved its QS Performing Arts Ranking.

His research interests focus on fostering student autonomy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative educational frameworks. He has been recognized with Honorary Fellowships from prestigious institutions like Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Tornquist’s career reflects a global perspective, having lived in Colombia, Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway before moving to Singapore. He advocates for 'creative spaces' that integrate academic and artistic disciplines, aligning with NUS’s vision for 21st-century music education.

His professional journey includes roles as an Associate Professor, department head, and composer, with works performed by orchestras such as the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. Beyond academia, he emphasizes cultural adaptation and innovation, inspired by Singapore’s societal progress in sustainability and problem-solving.