Wanganui Collegiate student faces his fears in New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest at Wanganui Collegiate School

One young man faced his fears when he played the violin in front of a crowd at the Prince Edward Auditorium on Friday.

Eros Li, 15, performed as part of The Conway Quartet at the New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest at Wanganui Collegiate School.

"That was my second on-stage performance and I conquered my stage fright. I'm very happy. Before I'd get so nervous, I'd be shaking and couldn't play fluently," Eros said.

"My second item is on the third session at 6.30, I'm quite looking forward to it now."

The Conway Quartet is comprised of Eros and Finnegan Murphy who play the violin, Sami Harrison who plays piano and Caleb Austing on the cello.

They performed Valsette and March by Jill Conway who is the inspiration behind their name.

Conway is just one of Eros' influences.

The Conway Quartet: Eros Li and Finnegan Murphy (violins), Sami Harrison (piano) and Caleb Austing (cello). Photo / Bevan Conley

"In my younger years my grandfather listened to a lot of Western classics, like Andre Rieu, so I was very influenced by that.

"Another influence is Zheng Yuanhui. She plays really well. She lost her parents at a young age and began learning a piece after that, it's pretty sad and sounds very emotional."

Eros said learning that piece is one of his goals for the future and his dream would be to eventually join a symphony orchestra.

He started to play the violin five or six years ago.

"I personally really like the violin, I like the sound it makes and all of the different effects you can make with it.

"It's going to be good to watch others performing. You can learn their techniques and see how they act on stage."

One winner from the contest will progress on to the central regional final in Napier on Saturday, June 23.

From there, the national final will take place in Christchurch on August 3 and 4.