Following the signing, JHU President William R. Brody shakes hands with Tan Chorh Chuan, senior deputy president of the National University of Singapore, while Jeffrey Sharkey, director of the Peabody Institute, applauds. Photo by Will Kirk /HIPS

When they met six years ago last week, the leaders of Johns Hopkins and the National University of Singapore inked an agreement that marked the first collaboration of its kind between a top American conservatory of music and a leading university in the Asia Pacific region. The establishment of the Yong Toh Conservatory of Music, in collaboration with the Peabody Institute, was envisioned as part of a broad strategy to position Singapore as a global city with vibrant business, science, technology and arts sectors.

On Nov. 27, Johns Hopkins President William R. Brody and Tan Chorh Chuan, senior deputy president of the National University of Singapore, met in Peabody's Cohen Davison Theater to ceremoniously sign a new agreement that will continue the collaboration for five more years. The effort, which began with assistance in curriculum design and initial teaching and guidance, will provide continued advising, the formation of a graduate program at YST, work on a joint degree, an enhanced exchange of students and faculty, and exploration of new vistas in music and technology.

Her Excellency Chan Heng Chee, ambassador of the Republic of Singapore, was guest of honor at the event, whose attendees included, in addition to Chuan, a five-person delegation from NUS; and, from Johns Hopkins, Provost Kristina Johnson; Jeffrey Sharkey, director of the Peabody Institute; Jim McGill, senior vice president for finance and administration; and Stephen Dunham, general counsel.

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