We are proud to share that Pinehurst Year 11 student Junyang (David) Zhu will be performing as a featured soloist in an upcoming Auckland Arts Festival concert on Sunday 22 March.
The performance marks the festival debut of the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, one of Auckland’s longest-established chamber orchestras. The concert celebrates the next generation of classical musicians in New Zealand, featuring three young soloists alongside the world premiere of a newly commissioned orchestral work by Auckland composer and pianist Henry Meng.
David started playing the oboe when he was ten years old and developed a strong passion for the instrument. Under the guidance of Bede Hanley, Principal Oboe of the Auckland Philharmonia, he made his concerto debut with the orchestra when he was just twelve years old.
Since then, David has achieved several impressive milestones. He has won first prize in both Open categories of the New Zealand Double Reed Society and Australasian Double Reed Society oboe competitions, and at the age of thirteen he was selected as Principal Oboe of the 2024 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra, becoming the youngest musician ever appointed to the role.
David has also had the opportunity to study internationally, working with leading oboists in the United States including musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Alongside his oboe studies, he continues to develop his musicianship through piano lessons with New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge.
The Auckland Arts Festival concert will bring together several exceptional young performers at an exciting point in their musical journeys. Held in the beautiful setting of St Matthew-in-the-City, the programme highlights the talent and promise of New Zealand’s emerging classical musicians.
We look forward to seeing David take the stage and wish him all the best for a memorable performance will be.
If you are interested in seeing David perform live you can purchase tickets at:
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/young-and-brilliant/auckland
