Lauren Zhang plays the piano. (Photo provided to China Daily)
In her winning performance, Zhang tackled Sergei Prokofiev's taxing Piano Concerto No 2. She began learning the Russian composer's 30-minute piece for piano and orchestra last year, and said she needed to improve her stamina to get through it without needing to take breaks.
"I really like the way Prokofiev presents two sides of the music," Zhang told the BBC. "There's the very lyrical, romantic side, and also a more bizarre and grotesque side to this piece. I feel the combination is so interesting."
Julian Lloyd Webber, principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, described Zhang as a "total phenomenon".
"Having spent a lifetime making music with some of the world's finest musicians, I can honestly say that Lauren is up there with the best," Lloyd Webber said.
