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.
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.
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.
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.
Monika started learning the violin at the age of 5 and has always been involved in school and community music groups. 2026 will be Monika’s second year in AYO.
Monika holds a deep love for music composition and currently enjoys composing orchestral music and symphonic movements, and one of her pieces, ‘Your July’, has been performed by her school’s orchestra.
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.
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.
William is studying Engineering at the University of Auckland. He enjoys music and juggling and is looking forward to making music with AYO in 2024.
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.
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.
Rachael began learning the cello at 6 years old under the guidance of James Bush. Now, in 2026, as a Year 9 student at Rangitoto College, she is continuing her musical journey and beginning lessons with James Yoo.
From 2023, Rachael played with the West City String Orchestra, which performs frequently in community events and concerts. In 2024 Rachael attended the NZCBA’s National Festival with cello and received a Gold Award for her performance of the first movement of Bach Cello Suite No.1. In 2025 she participated in the “The Monster in the Maze” opera as a cellist – working with NZ Opera and Auckland Philharmonia musicians to put on a stunning production. At the end of 2025, Rachael won the Top of Music award for Year 8 at Northcross Intermediate.
Outside of music, Rachael enjoys writing stories, reading books, and playing badminton.
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.
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.
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.
Layla (Jisoo) Choi began playing the flute in Year 6 and completed her Trinity Grade 8 Exam at age 12. She has performed in school musical productions, including Big Fish (2024) and Les Misérables (2025), participated in multiple school orchestras, and shares the principal flute spot in the Rangitoto College Concert Band. Her dedication was recognised by Rangitoto College with the 2025 Music Trophy for Greatest Contribution to Junior Music.
Layla is excited to join AYO and looks forward to collaborating with other talented young musicians.
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 currently 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.
Beyond these achievements, Dennis has been actively involved with the Auckland Philharmonia through the Big Play In programme, Orchestral Summer Schools, and Masterclasses with overseas professors such as Steve Cohen.
In 2025, Dennis’s chamber music group, Les Mousquetaires, reached the finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest, playing at the Auckland Town Hall with New Zealand’s finest young musicians.
15-year-old Jasper is in Year 11 at Macleans College. He has spent a decade playing music, starting on the piano. At the age of 10, he started learning the clarinet with Elsa Lam, and currently he is learning from Jonathan Cohen.
Jasper enjoys playing the clarinet as it allows him to collaborate with other musicians, playing a wide variety of genres of music. He plays clarinet for the Macleans College Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band, and has performed with numerous chamber ensembles, competing in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest.
Jasper has been involved in the NZ Youth Symphonic Winds concert band and, in early 2026, he will be learning from the APO summer school to extend his aptitudes in orchestral playing. However, he is most excited to be part of AYO in 2026, since being selected for this orchestra has been a goal of his for many years.
Outside of music, Jasper enjoys playing chess, and also socialising with friends through playing basketball.
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.
Bonnie is a year 10 student at St Kentigern College, having been offered a music scholarship there this year. Bonnie started piano at the age of 6 and started learning the harp with Melody Lin two years later.
Bonnie gained ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction and is currently working on diploma level. She has won a number of awards from SAPACS, instrumental music competitions and international music competitions.
Outside of music, Bonnie does K-pop dance, Hip-Hop, and Choreo. She enjoys listening to music on Spotify and also loves to hangout with friends.
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.
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.
Georgia has been playing the French Horn since age 11. She first started playing when her piano teacher suggested playing a more challenging instrument. Since then she has been involved in various orchestras in school and the community, and was also involved in the Christchurch Youth Orchestra in 2025. She recently completed her Trinity Grade 8 French horn exam, achieving a merit.
Georgia is preparing to begin her first year at the University of Auckland, where she will be studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering. In addition to her musical commitments, she enjoys playing badminton and maintaining an active lifestyle outdoors.
Matthew Lee is currently in Year 13 and has been learning the French Horn under the teaching of Henry Close and then Simon Williams since the age of 13. He currently serves as the principal horn in the Kristin School Concert Band, and has participated in various Auckland Philharmonia programmes, such as the Orchestral Summer School and Horn Hangs. Matthew is new to AYO in 2026 and hopes to enjoy playing in an environment where his musicianship is able to develop and be challenged.
Outside of horn playing, Matthew also enjoys singing, being the bass section leader for his school’s choir, and singing in a barbershop quartet. He is also an épée fencer and enjoys composing.
Eason is a drummer and percussionist studying as a Year 11 student at Saint Kentigern College. Starting on the drums and piano from a young age, he has explored many different styles from Pipe Drumming to Jazz, finishing Grade 8 for both instruments and now participating in ensembles for both. Alongside playing big band piano, Eason especially loves to play mallet percussion in an orchestral setting. Eason is a new member to AYO for 2026, alongside participating in his school’s premier ensembles and working on his percussion qualifications.
Away from music, Eason also loves to produce music and animation, and is an avid weekend golfer.