We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Madeline Goh Professorship in Piano, an endowed gift made by Mr Goh Geok Khim and Mr Goh Yew Lin in support of piano education at YST.
Mrs Madeline Goh studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music from 1952-1956, receiving a Graduate of the Royal Schools of Music (London) degree. She taught music and gave piano lessons in Singapore, before going to work with Mr Goh Geok Khim in the stockbroking industry in the late 1960s. Mr Goh Geok Khim and Mrs Madeline Goh are the parents of Mr Goh Yew Lin, founding Chairman of the YST Conservatory, whose vision and advocacy was key in establishing YST as an integral part of NUS and Singapore’s music ecosystem.
Mr Goh Yew Lin shared, “Music has been a constant passion for my family and me. Having witnessed the Conservatory’s rapid evolution over the years, we are glad to be able to impact further generations of students through this gift.” He had also previously donated a Paul McNulty fortepiano to YST, which was featured in the recent Haydn’s Mass in Time of War concert (at 21:37).
The inaugural Madeline Goh Professorship in Piano will be held by Prof Thomas Hecht, the Conservatory’s founding Head of Keyboard Studies, who has provided leadership and vision for the Piano area since 2003. Among Dr Hecht’s many initiatives are the establishment of the YST Electone Orchestra, which brings symphonic music to life under the hands of Piano majors, and his successful launching of the Conservatory’s first SMART teaching studio. Two of his Singaporean protégés have been named Young Steinway Artists.
The Professorship will continue to support initiatives that enrich piano education for YST students as well as the community. Prof Hecht said, “The Madeline Goh Professorship will enable us to offer even richer opportunities and exposure for our piano students, both through our own events and platforms and in working with leading artists in the field.”
Prof Bernard Lanskey, Dean of the YST Conservatory, said, “The Goh family have been long-standing friends of the Conservatory. We thank them for their generosity in supporting piano education at YST, as we seek to encourage greater musical discovery and growth within and beyond the Conservatory.”
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YST CONSERVATORY
National University of Singapore
3 Conservatory Drive
Singapore 117376
