Macleans College alumna wins National Concerto Competition
Posted on March 20, 2026
Former Macleans College student Lorna Zhang (Mansfield House 2018 - 2022) won first prize in the National Concerto Competition, held in Christchurch earlier this month.
The competition is New Zealand’s leading classical music contest for musicians under the age of 25. Finalists perform selected works with a symphony orchestra. The event provides a valuable platform for emerging artists seeking national and international careers.
Lorna’s winning performance of Shostakovich's First Violin Concerto with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra was described as ‘unforgettable’ and ‘world-class’ by adjudicators, including Victoria University professor Donald Maurice.
A versatile chamber musician, Lorna was named an Emerging Artist for the At the World’s Edge festival in Queenstown. In 2024, she was awarded the Royal Overseas-League Pettman Scholarship. This supported a six-week performance tour of the United Kingdom and Europe. During the tour, she performed alongside internationally renowned musicians, including violinist Benjamin Baker, French horn soloist Ben Goldscheider, clarinettist Julian Bliss and violinist Ning Feng.
While studying at the University of Auckland, Lorna won the Chamber Music Competition twice. She also won the University’s Concerto Competition following a performance with the Auckland Philharmonia.
Lorna has studied with Stephen Larsen for the past seven years. She recently completed her Bachelor of Music degree and plans to undertake postgraduate study in Germany.
