Ma Ke, 20, celebrated her success in a major piano competition by signing a contract to be guest pianist with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.

Ma, from Datong in Shanxi province, won the gold award in the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto competition.

Ma Ke (The first from the right), the winner in the red gown, at the award ceremony on June 27 in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The competition, which began in 2006, is a bridge between young pianists and symphony orchestras worldwide, encouraging international communication and selecting young pianists with potential for international piano associations.

More than 70 competitors from a variety of countries took part in the first round. Dtnews.cn reported that 45 pianists from 11 countries passed the first round with 17 overseas players from the USA, Russia, Korea, Spain and Poland; while 28 were from China. Most are studying in world renowned music schools or have had the experience of coming first in international competitions.

Ma was born into a family with a musical background. Her maternal grandfather, Zhang Zigui, is a famous musician in Datong, who composed many famous songs, such as Datong, the Pearl Beyond the Great Wall, and Datong Welcomes You.

Both parents are core members of the Datong Symphony Orchestra and Ma started to play piano at the age of four, entering the middle school under Guangzhou Xinghai Conservatory of Music at the age of 12, where she practiced piano with Ukrainian pianist Galyna Popova.

The Royal Academy of Music in the UK recruited her when she was on high school grade 2 granting four years' full scholarships. She is now in her third academic year at the academy. She gave a solo concert at the Wigmore Hall in the UK in April, wining acclaim.

Ma said winning the Shenzhen competition was a great honor, which gave her the opportunity to sign contracts with both the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and Sichuan Conservatory of Music. She hopes that people in her hometown feel proud of her.