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Our 2025 Finalists
Photos: Pieter du Plessis Photography
Portia Bell, Cello.
Portia Bell is a talented cellist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Otago, where she studies under the tutelage of Heleen du Plessis. In recognition of her musical excellence, she has received multiple scholarships, including the prestigious John Steele Memorial Music Scholarship. Bell is an active performer, serving as a cellist in the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Principal Cellist of the Dunedin Youth Orchestra, and freelance soloist around Aotearoa.
Portia's musical achievements have been exceptional, earning First Place in the BACH International Music Competition and receiving the Hugh Stevenson Cup for Excellence in Chamber Music. Additionally, she was awarded a scholarship as Principal Cellist of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Virtuosi Chamber Ensemble at the age of 14, and was offered the NZSM Therle Drake Award and the Ian Lyons Cello Scholarship. Portia was also accepted into the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and studied as a New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington STAR student.
During secondary school, Portia further showcased her leadership and musical skill as Principal Cellist of the Burnside High School Orchestra, Big Band and strings, and Specialist Music Programme String Ensemble for numerous years. She was a guest soloist with the Christchurch Cantabile Choir and earned multiple accolades in the National Chamber Music Contest, including a National Bronze Award and regional finalist placements.
Portia continues to develop as a highly regarded young cellist, committed to furthering her musical career and contributions to New Zealand’s classical music community.
Ozan Biner-McGrath
Ozan Biner-McGrath was born in Dunedin, where he is currently a Year 12 student at Logan Park High School. He began piano lessons with his father, Tom McGrath, who remains his current teacher. Ozan also studied for several years with John Colwill and has had occasional lessons with John Van Buskirk. He has participated in masterclasses with Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Paul Rickard-Ford and Terence Dennis.
In 2023, Ozan won the IRMTNZ Otago Branch Secondary School Scholarship, performed Haydn’s D Major Piano Concerto with the Dunedin Collegiate Orchestra, and reached the finals of the 2023 Lewis Eady National Junior Piano Competition, which was broadcast by RNZ concert. Last year, he also won the Senior Scholarship Recital at the Dunedin Performing Arts Competitions, where he also enjoys accompanying younger instrumentalists.
More recently, Ozan performed a solo recital in First Church and in December, he was one of 15 pianists under the age of 27 selected for the semi-finals of the 2024 Lewis Eady National Piano Competition in Auckland.
He enjoys chamber music and has been a member of winning groups in the last three NZCT Otago District contests. In addition, Ozan plays percussion and piano in the Dunedin Youth Orchestra and enjoys playing and watching cricket
Roy Zhang
Roy began his piano journey at the age of four, studying under Neville Baird before continuing with acclaimed pianist Michael Endres. Roy holds an LTCL diploma in piano performance and has participated in numerous competitions. In 2020, he reached the Semi-finals of the NZ Junior Piano Competition, and in 2021, his chamber group advanced to the National Semi-finals of the NZCT Chamber Contest. Over the years, he has also received multiple first-place awards at the Christchurch Competitions Society. In 2023, Roy and his chamber group, Senza Espressione, won First Prize in the American Virtuoso International Music Competition for chamber music. This achievement led to an invitation to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.