After winning a prize in the 1989 National Music Competition, Timothy Ku left to study music in New York. Timothy has worked with a number of prominent pianists and pedagogues, including Adam Wodnicki, Marc Silverman, Nina Svetlanova, Michael Rogers and Agustin Anievas. He also studied the harpsichord under the renowned Louis Bagger, and conducted with Glen Cortese and Bruce McIntire. He was the resident pianist for the Singapore Symphony Chorus under Bart Folse and the Principal Study Teacher and Piano Repertoire Lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Timothy’s current duties include music directorship of NUS Piano Ensemble and Victoria Junior College Piano Ensemble, and Principal-Study Teacher-Lecturer at School of the Arts.

The NUS Piano Ensemble (NUSPE) focuses uniquely on piano ensemble repertoire, establishing its place in Singapore’s vibrant arts scene by taking pride in exploring a range of obscure works for the piano.

Formed in 1987 and presently under the guidance of Timothy Ku, NUSPE’s core repertoire consists of piano duets and duo works, with the aim of providing performance opportunities for aspiring pianists and promoting an appreciation for piano ensemble music in Singapore. Its quirky tagline “No One Plays Alone” attracts accomplished pianists who seek to develop beyond solo performance, giving them fresh challenges of playing off another pianist as well as a closely bonded community of music lovers

Although NUSPE performs primarily classical music, it does not shy away from experimenting with a range of performance and musical styles, including chamber works with other instruments. Eclectic genres such as jazz and contemporary popular music also influence the group’s repertoire. Collaborative opportunities with other art forms such as dance, theatre, and literature have also materialized as innovative and refreshing performances.