Beyond The Baton
The Art of Advanced Conducting
A workshop by Dr Gene Peterson (USA) and Ms Lim Ai Hooi (Singapore)
21 & 22 March 2026, 9 am - 6.30 pm
Goodman Arts Centre
$350
Unlock the artistry behind every gesture. This this two-day intensive advanced choral conducting workshop invites you to move beyond patterns and into the realm of expressive leadership — where breath shapes sound, intention guides motion, and music comes alive through your hands. Under the mentorship of Lim Ai Hooi and Gene Peterson, you’ll explore deeper listening, richer interpretation, and the craft of leading singers with clarity and confidence. Perfect for conductors ready to refine their technique and elevate their musical impact.
This course is eligible for the NAC-NICA Training Support. Please visit this page to find out more.
Professor Thomas Caplin, was born in Malmö, Sweden and received his education in both Copenhagen and Stockholm. He is a conductor, composer, clinician and author, and specialises within the psychological/pedagogical aspects of choral leadership, coupled with the traditional perspectives of choral conducting and the overall running of a choir including all aspects. In addition to his more than 60 published compositions/arrangements, Caplin has received international acclaim for his book on choral leadership – “A Holistic Approach To Choral Leadership” (2026).
Another specialty is the cross field between classical and rhythmical singing and conducting. He is frequently engaged as guest conductor and clinician, and as adjudicator in competitions. In the season of 2026/27 he will be guest conducting Formosa Singers (Taiwan), in addition to clinics both in Norway and Belgium.
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In addition to his former employment at Inland University Norway, he is also co-founder of World Choral Conducting Network (WCCN) and former member of the World Choir Council. He is the co-founder and mentor of the HKICF mentoring program, aimed for school music teachers in Hongkong.
He has received international recognitions for his leadership of the following choirs :
The Lund University Male Choir (prominent male choir from University of Lund, Sweden, World Choir Champions, Shaoxing 2010), Oslo University Male Choir (World Choir Champion, Xiamen, China 2006), Chamber Choir Collegium Vocale (Norway). He recently left the internationally renowned Defrost Youth Choir, and is a former singing member of the vocal group Nordic Blue.
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In 2022 he received recognition for his long development work in Norway, by being awarded the prestigious prize «The Choir Prize», by the Norwegian Choir Association.
Choir Workshops
Facilitated by overseas clinicians, these workshops provide school choirs with the opportunity to broaden perspectives and elevate standards
Conductor Workshops
Collaborating with prominent conductors in the world, these workshops groom the next generation of artistic directors and choral educators
Who We Have Worked With
A growing list of choral experts who excel at making choirs sound good.
Dr. Paulo Lourenço
Portugal | 2025
Dr. Gene Peterson
USA | 2026