Archie is 17 years old and is entering his final year of school at St Peter’s College in 2023.
He has been playing the violin for 8 years and, having gained distinction in his Trinity College Grade 8 exam in 2019, is currently working towards his LTCL diploma. He is the concertmaster of his school’s orchestra and in 2022 participated in the NZCT chamber music contest, reaching the Northern Regional Finals.
Music is his passion along with the beach and the sunshine, and in his spare time he loves reading, painting, the outdoors and, recently, film photography.
Yitian Jia, 13 years old, has been studying the violin since the age of 5 and is currently preparing for his diploma exam. He has years of experience playing in school string orchestra and the North Shore Youth Orchestra. TianTian has participated in multiple APO Summer Schools and has attended the ASQ International Music Academy for several consecutive years. He has also competed in various violin competitions in Auckland, achieving second place in both South Auckland and North Shore competitions. Additionally, he has performed as a violinist in multiple live finals concerts of Seeking Composers, a music competition held in China.
Ray is a Year 11 student at King’s College. He has played violin and piano for around 10 years and he is very passionate about them. This year is Ray’s third year in AYO.
Outside of music, Ray indulges in ice hockey, martial arts and volleyball.
Calista is a dedicated Year 12 student who began her journey with the violin in 2018. She has been a vital part of the KJSH School Orchestra in Taiwan from ages 12 to 15 and plays in the chamber group at Takapuna Grammar School.
In addition to her passion for playing the violin, Calista has diverse interests including cooking, K-pop dancing, and playing the piano. Calista is happy to join the Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2025 and looks forward to creating beautiful music with AYO.
Eleanor is a second-year student at the University of Auckland, majoring in a Bachelor of Music, performance violin and a Bachelor of Science in Physics, in conjoint. Eleanor’s love for the violin started at age 7 and she has been playing ever since, completing grade levels with distinction up to ATCL.
She received multiple scholarships during her schooling including the Heritage Foundation Dio Arts Award 6 times and the Ethel Sandford Music Scholarship. She also achieved the top prize in the Diocesan Concerto Competition as well as the violin cup.
Eleanor was concertmaster of her high-level school orchestra and chamber orchestra for multiple years and has taken on solos as part of this. In 2023 she was also selected as concertmaster of the KBB Honours Orchestra. Eleanor competed in the national Chamber music competition for 5 consecutive years and reached the district finals with her trio in 2023.
Now at university, she is involved in many groups such as the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra and was associate concertmaster of AYO in 2024. She has also performed with multiple national choirs such as the Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir and New Zealand Secondary Schools Choir.
Eleanor is extremely keen on continuing her music career further, including more performing opportunities and eventually pursuing a Masters degree in violin overseas.
Michael Wai-Kit Tran is a 17 year old student born in New Zealand. He started playing the violin at 13 years old and has been passionate about playing music ever since.
Michael is also very passionate about composing music, in particular composing symphonic orchestrations.
Sabrina is a Year 11 student who holds a Royal Schools of Music Certificate in both Performance and Theory. She plays violin and piano.
Sabrina not only likes music, but also drawing and sports. She used to do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, run 400m (placed 1st at school seniors) and ballet in Taiwan. At the end of the year 2023, Sabrina was awarded a certificate for maths excellence from her school.
Celestine started learning the violin at the age of 12 and she is a current student at Mount Albert Grammar School. She has been passionate about music since a young age, when she learnt the piano, and has even had the opportunity to learn the trombone.
Celestine plays in the orchestras at school and enjoys the family and community feeling of orchestras. 2023 will be the second year Celestine has been with AYO.
Outside of adventuring in the world of music she enjoys ice skating, eating, running and spending time with family and friends. Celestine is also someone who loves to enjoy every small thing in life and treasures every moment with the ones for whom she cares.
13-year-old Euanne Lee is a Year 9 student at Epsom Girls Grammar School. She began playing the violin at age seven with Sigurd Feiring of the Conservatoire, Blackheath, London and quickly developed a deep passion for orchestral music. Her journey began with the Royal Greenwich Youth Orchestra in 2019, and since moving to New Zealand, continued her training under Lindsay McLay at Chiron where she has performed with several other ensembles. Euanne is excited to further her musical growth and gain new experiences with the Auckland Youth Orchestra.
Beyond music, Euanne is dedicated to her studies and has a keen interest in art and writing, which she continually strives to develop alongside her musical pursuits.
Bryan started playing in AYO in 2017. He is studying towards his piano performance degree at the University of Auckland and hopes to further his study in violin performance thereafter. Bryan enjoys performing for people in the community and loves playing in (too many) orchestras as well as smaller chamber music ensembles.
Outside of music, he enjoys spending time with his aMAzing family and friends. Hobbies include becoming a potato at times and doing nothing. On other occasions, he has taken up a fondness of hiking and finding new InTerEstINg activities to experience in life! He also loves watching YouTube videos by pianist Tiffany Poon and keeping up to date with the latest TwoSetViolin videos.
#keepstriving
#lingling40hrs
Damon began playing the cello shortly before his 4th birthday. From his formative start through the Suzuki Method with Sally-Anne and Anna-Marie Alloway, Damon went on to intensive studies with baroque specialist James Bush.
In 2020 his chamber group Trio Achilles was runner-up at the NZCT National Chamber Music Competition, winning the inaugural Helen Young Diamond award. Damon was the recipient of a generous three-year scholarship through the Chiron Group and, in 2021, achieved the NZQA Top Scholar award for the highest NCEA Scholarship Music score in the country.
Damon is studying a conjoint Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science degree at The University of Auckland, under James Tennant for his cello studies. He won several music prizes and scholarships at the university in 2022 . His university ensemble, Kaha Trio, won the 2022 Carl and Alberta Rosenfeldt Prize, and is part of the APO’s “Aspiring” programme.
Damon has been the Principal Cello of the AYO since 2021 and plays a fine Carboni cello on generous loan to him through the Sir Michael Hill Foundation Instrument Bank.
Ali is a Year 12 student currently attending Sacred Heart College. He has been playing the cello since he was 6 years old and is a member of the chamber group Triosica, which received the Auckland region Adjudicator’s Award in the 2023 NZCT Chamber Contest and was 1st in the Sacred Heart College music competition.
Ali is of Samoan descent from Otara. Finding a passion through playing the cello wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the tutors from Sistema Aotearoa, especially his cello teacher Sarah Spence.
Outside of music, Ali loves to play golf as well as go to church and pray, since faith is a big aspect of one’s life especially being of Pacific descent.
After school Ali aspires to study medicine at the University of Auckland, as he wishes to help people of Pacific descent and serve his community.
Madeleine began playing cello at age 7, completing her Grade 8 in 2022 and is currently working towards her ATCL. She is in her final year of school at Diocesan School for Girls, where she is the principal cello of the chamber orchestra.
She has been a member of the school symphony orchestra since year 9 playing both cello and bassoon and has also been a member of the concert band. She has played in the KBB Honours Orchestra and has also participated in the Auckland Philharmonia summer school. Over the past four years, she has performed in various chamber groups in the NZCT Chamber Music Competition, playing both cello and bassoon. She has received many school scholarships for music, including the Ethel Sanford Bursary twice.
Madeleine is a keen composer and recently won 3rd prize in the NZCF-SOUNZ Choral Composition Competition. She sings in the Aotearoa Academy Choir and her school choir and is also working towards Grade 7 on bassoon.
Hyungwoo (Harry) Kim is 16 years old and attends ACG Strathallan as a Y12 Music Scholarship Student. He is also a part-time music tutor for the Papakura Music School and teaches privately.
Harry started music at the age 7 on the piano, achieving up to Grade 3, all with high distinction and attending New Zealand’s Top Scorers Concert for 3 consecutive years. He began cello at age 12, and passed Trinity Grade 8 in 2023 with 90% distinction under the teaching of Professor James Yoo. He has also recently picked up electric guitar, quickly excelling due to past experiences in music.
Harry has performed, competed and won various Cello and SAPACS tournaments both individually and as a member of school ensembles. He has previous experience playing in group settings: he is currently first chair for 3 years for the New Korean Symphony Orchestra, member of the Symphonia Cello ensemble and ACG Strathallan String ensemble, concert band and String Quartet.
Other hobbies are volleyball, guitar and following K-pop group NewJeans.
Samantha (or Sam) is in her first year studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland.
She started learning cello in Year 9 from Anthony Elmsly, after being encouraged by her school music teacher. Ever since then her passion for music has grown, expanding her musicality. She also picked up drums in Year 10 and enjoys playing rock and a bit of jazz drums. Sam likes to compose, and received a Highly Commended award for her Macbeth composition in the Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ’s 2023 composition competition.
Other than music, Sam enjoys going to the gym, playing sports and reading.
Thirteen-year-old Elvies was born in Auckland and attends Pinehurst school.
Elvies started playing the piano at the age of 6 and passed ABRSM Grade 8 piano exam three years later. When he was 12, he started playing the cello and became very passionate about it – he is currently studying cello with James Yoo.
With both instruments, Elvies has participated and won awards in various music events such as APO Summer School and Chamber Music Competition in Hong Kong.
William is in his first year studying Engineering at the University of Auckland. He enjoys music and juggling and is looking forward to making music with AYO in 2024.
Fifteen-year-old Yiran Zhao started learning the cello with Taki Zhang at the age of 13 and has recently sat her ATCL exam. Yiran is a new member of AYO in 2025 and is looking forward to playing in a big orchestra. Yiran enjoys using the cello to express her feelings through different types of sounds and creating beautiful atmospheres.
Besides cello, Yiran has a passion for art, and won a prize in the New Zealand Youth Art Awards in 2024. In addition, Yiran also enjoys playing golf .
Eleven year old Harper Zhang started learning the cello at the age of seven with her teacher Taki Zhang, and passed her Trinity ATCL examination in 2024. Two years after starting cello, Harper took up the piano and has now passed her Grade 5 examination.
Ashley is a Year 9 student at ACG Parnell who began her musical journey with piano at the age of 6 before discovering her passion for the cello at age 7. A committed and competitive musician, she has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 SAPAC Junior String Championship Cup, the Dora Green Cup for Excellence in Cello, and second place in the String Solo Classical competition at NSPAC in 2023. In 2024, Ashley was recognized as the Most Promising String Player at SAPACS. She has been mentored by James Bush, a Baroque specialist, and currently studies under renowned cellist James Yoo.
Outside of music, Ashley enjoys singing, dancing, and an array of sports, including swimming, badminton, volleyball, netball, and basketball.
Jessie is a 16-year-old double bass player who will be playing in the AYO for her fourth year in 2024.
Her teacher is Evgeny Lanchtchikov and she has played since she was 10 years old.
In Jessie’s spare time she enjoys painting and eating chocolate.
After moving to NZ in 2014, Anna studied flute under Uwe Grodd and Abigail Sperling through a scholarship from the Pettman National Junior Academy of Music, and recently graduated from the University of Auckland with a First Class Honours Degree in flute performance.
She has been actively involved in the NZCT Chamber Contest and has been a member of AYO since 2017. Anna has been the principal flute of AYO for the past few years and performed with the orchestra in its 2018 tour to Germany, Slovenia and Austria.
Anna has been offered a place for a Masters Degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London, starting this September.
Alex Wu started playing the oboe at the age of 8. He has recently started learning from Bede Hanley, after having learned from Martin Lee for 4 years.
Alex has previously been the principal oboe of Youth Orchestra Waikato and Aotea Youth Symphony. He won the Intermediate section of the New Zealand Double Reed Society Competition in 2019 and 2021, the Most Promising Oboist Prize in the Intermediate section of the Australian Double Reed Competition in 2020, Second Prize in the Open section of the NZDRS Competition in 2022. In 2023 Alex’s wind quartet was awarded Second place in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest and he recently received an Outstanding Performance prize in the AYO Soloist Competition.
Alex is also a pianist and, outside of music, he loves sabre fencing and speed roller-blading.
Chloe Xiao is a Year 11 student at Diocesan School for Girls. She started her music journey with piano, and began learning the oboe at the age of 8. She is currently learning under Camille Wells and completed her Trinity Grade 8 exam last year.
Chloe enjoys playing in groups, participating in school orchestras and concert band. She has also received school music scholarships throughout school. 2024 will be Chloe’s first year in AYO, and she is looking forward to all the performances ahead in the year.
Outside of music, Chloe enjoys cycling and dance.
Dennis Liu started playing music with the piano, achieving ABRSM Grade 8. At the age of 9 he transitioned to the clarinet, and currently studies under Jonathan Cohen, after having learned from Tracy Ma for 2 years. Dennis has passed ABRSM Grade 8 in clarinet with Distinction and is preparing for the LRSM exam in 2025.
He currently also serves as the concertmaster of the North Shore Youth Symphonic Winds, a multi-award-winning concert band. With this ensemble, he has contributed to performances at prestigious festivals, including the Matamata Music Festival, where the band was one of three to receive a Gold Award. The band has also earned numerous Gold Awards at the New Zealand Concert Bands Association Festival and received a Silver Award in 2024.
In August 2024, Dennis won the Most Outstanding Soloist award at the NZCBA, distinguishing himself among School Student, Open, and Tertiary level competitors. He also holds the position of Principal Clarinettist with the North Shore Junior Orchestra.
Beyond these achievements, Dennis has been actively involved with the Auckland Philharmonia through the Big Play In programme and the Orchestral Summer Schools.
This is Sue Lynn’s fourth year in AYO and she’s excited to continue meeting people, learning and making more amazing music as a part of the AYO community!
After starting piano at a young age, Sue Lynn was introduced to the bassoon by her college music teacher. The school had just acquired a bassoon and her teacher encouraged her to ‘just give it a go’. Despite the struggle of having to explain what a bassoon is every once in awhile, she’s loved the challenge of learning something new and has since played in various musical ensembles.
Sue Lynn is in her final year of a Bachelor of Science/Music conjoint at the University of Auckland, majoring in physics and music studies. Outside of music she loves sitting down with a good book and has aspirations to become a teacher.
Music has always been an indispensable part of Joy’s life. She started learning piano at the age of 4. When she was 11 she attended a symphony concert, performed by the China Philharmonic Orchestra, which deeply inspired her and sparked her fascination with orchestral music. That experience led her to decide to learn the bassoon. She feels incredibly fortunate to have been selected as a bassoonist for AYO 2025.
Outside of music, Joy likes to bake, and in 2025 she will start Year 12 at high school. She aspires to become an outstanding bassoonist and share the beauty of music with the world.
Evan Metcalfe is in his fourth year at the University of Auckland studying towards a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and Bachelor of Music (FHorn Perf). Evan is in his 10th year with the Auckland Youth Orchestra and fourth year as Principal Horn. He has received an NSZO Mentorship (2018), Auckland Philharmonia Internship (2019), and an ATCL Performance Diploma (Distinction) from Trinity College London (2019).
Evan works professionally with various orchestras such as the Auckland Philharmonia, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Bach Musica, as well as performing with touring groups and studio recordings. He is also the Itinerant Horn Teacher at St. Peter’s College and Auckland Grammar School. Evan held the National Youth Orchestra Principal Horn position in 2023 and 2024.
Music has been, and continues to be, a huge part of Evan’s life. He aspires to continue improving and challenging his abilities, whilst performing and bringing music to audiences around New Zealand.
Fergus has been learning the French Horn from David Kay for six years. He is a Year 13 student at Westlake Boys High School where he plays in the Westlake Symphony and Concert Band, and sings in the Westlake choirs.
Fergus enjoys stand up paddle boarding and competes frequently.
Daiki is starting his second year in University of Auckland and spent the first year in University of Otago in Dunedin, playing in Dunedin Youth Orchestra for a year in 2023.
Daiki started playing the French Horn when he was 10 after discovering that the French Horn was in the Guinness Book of World Records for its sheer difficulty. Since then, he has played in his school orchestra, concert band, and later in AYO for two programmes in 2023.
Outside of playing the French Horn, Daiki loves listening to all kinds of music, and also has a great interest in music production, where he recently won a competition run by a professional music production company. Apart from music, Daiki enjoys playing 8 ball pool.
Talia is currently in her third year of studying music at the University of Auckland.
Talia first discovered her love for the trumpet at the age of three, after hearing her father play. She began playing at the age of seven. Since then, she has been involved in many different groups through school, uni, and the community. In 2019 she achieved Trinity Grade 8 with a high merit. She has also had various awards and scholarships. She has played for Auckland City Youth Brass Band, Dalewool Youth Brass Band, APO Summer School Orchestra, West City Youth Concert Band, West City Concert Band, University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Uni Brass Ensemble, and many other ensemble groups.
Talia is excited to be a part of AYO and is looking forward to playing some amazing music with the rest of the orchestra.
William Sun has just started his postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland, majoring in piano and trumpet.
From the age of four, William learned the piano from his mother until 2020, when he began studying under Rae de Lisle. One year later, he won two classes of the North Shore Performing Arts Society’s competitions and received a third prize from the Margaret Doone Memorial Piano Sonata Scholarship in 2023. He is also honoured to have been awarded the Haydn Staples & Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholarship Programme in 2025.
William started learning the trumpet at the end of 2018 with Huw Dann and currently plays with the Tian Guo Marching Band and the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra.
William has completed conducting courses with Jono Palmer and hopes to continue conducting. He has conducted the university’s Auckland Chamber Choir, string chamber orchestra, and symphony orchestra. In his spare time, he loves to explore more about orchestral works from all eras for conducting and teaching.
Celine began playing the trumpet at the age of seven. Since then, she has won numerous regional and national brass and wind band solo competitions. In 2023, she earned first prize and the Judge’s Distinction Award at the American Protégé Woodwind and Brass Competition, which led to a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York in early 2024.
Since 2023, Celine has had the honour of serving as the bugler at the annual ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies, performing The Last Post to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. Her dedication was recognised with the MP’s Certificate of Appreciation from Simon Watts.
Outside of music, Celine enjoys collecting Pokémon cards and whipping up potato-based dishes, from roast spuds to creamy mash with a good helping of gravy—a nod to her love for classic Kiwi comfort food.
Previously a violinist, Athena wanted to explore the other side of the orchestra and to gain a different perspective. Two years later, she switched position and is now beginning her journey as a trombonist in AYO!
Athena is currently studying Classical Performance specialising in trombone at the University of Auckland under Douglas Cross. Besides AYO, she is also involved in several community bands.
Athena is passionate about teaching, composing music and looking after musicians’ hauora.
Bill has been learning the trombone for nine years and studied under Mark Close. Now, Bill serves as the principal trombone player in the Auckland Grammar School Symphony Orchestra and the Premier Concert Bands, and as the third trombone player in the Big Band.
Currently, Bill is studying Year 12 (Form 6) in Auckland Grammar School. He is keen on classical trombone playing. Besides music, Bill also loves photography. He likes to record the beauty of life in nature with his camera.