Junyang (David) Zhu is a Year 11 student at Pinehurst School. He began studying the oboe at the age of 10 under Bede Hanley, Principal Oboe of the Auckland Philharmonia. Since then, he has established himself as one of New Zealand's leading young oboists, winning first prize in the highest categories of both the New Zealand Double Reed Society (NZDRS) and Australasian Double Reed Society (ADRS) competitions.

At just 13 years old, he was appointed Principal Oboe of the National Youth Orchestra (NZSO-NYO) in 2024. David has performed as a concerto soloist with the Auckland Philharmonia and has been actively engaged in various programmes.

Additionally, David will be attending the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in the United States during the summer break this year. He also has had the privilege of receiving private lessons from esteemed oboists, including Frank Rosenwein and Eugene Izotov. Besides his oboe pursuits, he learns piano under Stephen de Pledge.