Nathan Soong has placed four times in Musica Viva's Young Performers Scholarship, but this year he took out the top gong in the piano section.
Soong has studied the piano since he was 3 with his teacher, Angela Cook. In 2018, he completed his Advanced Certificate in Piano coming top in New Zealand. Last year, Soong completed his LTCL in piano with distinction from Trinity College London. The diploma is equivalent in standard to the final-year recital of an undergraduate degree.
Soong, 16, is studying to complete a bachelor's degree in chemical and bioprocess engineering at Massey University, and in his spare time enjoys tramping.
The three winners of the scholarship, supported by the Rotary Club of Palmerston North, were announced at a concert on Sunday.
The winner of the vocal section was Lydia Monzeglio, who has always had a love for music and singing. She was born and raised in South Africa and made her singing debut there in 2016 in Mozart's Magic Flute.