Harim Oh is a recipient of one of New Zealand's most prestigious musical awards, and as his family prepare to move to Nelson, he wants to thank the Alexandra community for the part they played in his success.
In 2013, Oh, at age 16, received a discretionary entrance to Victoria University alongside a New Zealand School of Music scholarship and headed to Wellington to study, before completing high school.
In the same year, the now 18-year-old won the New Zealand National Young Performer of the Year Awards.
Last year, he was a semifinalist at the Gisborne International Music Competition and was awarded the Prof Jack Richards Woodwind Player Award.
He attributes much of his success to the support and opportunities provided to him by people and various groups in Alexandra.
With their help, he gained scholarships and valuable playing opportunities.
''Over the past eight years, I have been able to develop performance skills in front of a variety of audiences, and for that I am forever grateful.
''All my achievements and where I am today would not have been possible if it was not for the support and encouragement of the Central Otago community ... I hope to return in the future as a successful musician and bring more classical music to the community.''
Groups he wished to thank included the Alexandra Musical Society, the Central Otago Regional Orchestra and Dunstan High School, among others including the Alexandra, Clyde and Lauder Union Parish congregation, the Alexandra Community Arts Council and the Central Otago Lend A Hand Foundation Trust.
After eight years in Alexandra, Oh's family are about to move to Nelson, where his father, the Rev Martin Oh, has been stationed to a church.
This year will be Oh's last at Victoria University.
After that, he hopes to attend top musical conservatories in Europe, including the Paris Conservatoire in France and the Kungliga Musikhögskolan in Sweden.
For the young man who began playing piano at age 5, taught by his mother, it has not always been an easy path.
He began the clarinet at age 7 but, on moving to Alexandra from Auckland, his family discovered there were no clarinet teachers in the region.
So began monthly trips to Dunedin for lessons and, later, lessons via Skype.
Gaining a performance diploma from Trinity College, London, at age 14 was life-changing.
It was the point at which he realised he could make something of his playing.
Oh now has dreams of being a concert soloist and making a career out of his passion.
''It just depends on how well I do this year, because that will result in scholarships to go overseas to study in other schools.
''I do feel as though it's going to be a really intense year.''
Although Oh has inspiration within classical music - including violinist Itzhak Perlman - his top three favourite bands are strictly rock.
They are AC/DC, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica.
''I think every guy has gone through a Metallica phase.''
Oh was even in a rock band during high school, and played the electric guitar, bass and drums.
For now, though, it will be a daily routine of up to five hours of practice on his clarinet, so he can achieve his goal of travelling the world with an orchestra.
