Since its establishment, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao has garnered widespread attention, attracting visitors from all over the world. Musicians, educators, and professors from renowned institutions have regularly visited the school, leaving their mark along the way. Recently, the school welcomed another high-profile delegation: the first-ever visit from the Dean of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore to a K12 music-focused international school in China! 

On September 16, Professor Peter Tornquist, Dean of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore, Professor Zhang Jinmin, Head of the Woodwind Department, and musician-producer Kenny Ooi made a special visit to our school during their busy tour of China.

Founded in 2003, the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music is renowned for its world-class faculty and facilities, nurturing top talent in instrumental performance and composition. It quickly established itself as one of the leading international music conservatories in Asia and has become a school known for its global perspective. This visit, the first of its kind, not only reflects the high recognition of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao's achievements but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in cultural exchange and collaboration between the two institutions.

During the visit, Professor Peter Tornquist and his delegation were accompanied by Ms. Zheng Ran, Head of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, on a tour that seamlessly blended music with breathtaking scenery. The group visited the music building, including classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and the concert hall. When they reached the fifth floor of the academic building, the magnificent sea views on three sides unfolded like a painting. Even the seasoned professors paused to admire the beauty, offering genuine praise for the school's advanced teaching facilities and its rich musical learning environment. They couldn't help but express their envy for the YMSQ students, who have access to such an extraordinary environment from such a young age.

This year, Li Hao, a violin graduate from The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, began his studies at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. When Professor Peter Tornquist and Ms. Zheng Ran admired the poster of Li Hao's solo recital, it was a historic moment that was captured on camera. Professor Tornquist spoke highly of Li Hao’s development at the school, remarking that the young musician already shows great promise and will undoubtedly achieve even greater things. He eagerly looks forward to seeing Li Hao perform his first solo recital at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in the near future. In the coming years, the school aims to support more students on their journeys to world-class music institutions like the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Following the tour, Professor Peter Tornquist and his delegation took a deeper look into the school's educational philosophy, curriculum design, and faculty structure. They also engaged in detailed discussions with Professor Wang Hong, Head of the Violin Department, on the training and development of music students. Both institutions held in-depth discussions on key issues in music education and outlined potential areas for future collaboration. Professor Peter Tornquist expressed his enthusiasm for working with The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao to advance the field of music education and to contribute to the cultivation of more internationally-minded and competitive musical talent.