Nathanael Koh recently received an ATCL musical theory diploma from Trinity College in London, which is a first-year tertiary qualification.
This follows his 87% score in the Royal Schools of Music grade eight theory exam in March, of which he was one of the youngest children in the world to pass.
Nathanael also has aspirations of entering university "as early as possible" and studying medicine.
His main musical love is composing, which he does into the late hours.
Nathanael has composed pieces for solo instruments, bands and whole orchestras in genres ranging from nocturnes to blues and bluegrass.
His interest was spurred when his parents took him to a live brass band concert at age 7.
"After that I told my parents I wanted to study music."
After only a year and a-half his theory and composition skills are at university level.
He learns clarinet on Tuesdays, piano on Wednesdays and cello on Saturdays, from music teachers Barry Rutledge and Eli Gray-Smith.
Mr Gray-Smith said the boy's talent was "really outstanding".
"He is very good and has perfect pitch. In his exams he's always getting distinction."
Nathanael is home-schooled at the family's house in Glenleith.
At the end of the year he will sit Cambridge exams in chemistry and mathematics which are equivalent to NCEA level 3 and provide university entrance.
He is pushing to go to university next year, but his father Chris Koh thinks he may not be admitted so young.
"But we have to let him try."
Mr Koh said his son was very self-driven.
"He actually wrote into the New Zealand School of Music asking for entry. He's very self-motivated, but has also had a lot of help from Barry and Eli."
Neither he nor his wife, Wendy, were musical, he said.
The family are originally from Singapore, but now have New Zealand residency.
Nathanael was granted the Inaugural Ministry of Education gifted learner award in May.
This adds to his long list of skills and achievements including proficiency in written and spoken German, and membership to both the Singapore and New Zealand high IQ "genius" association Mensa, and yesterday completed a Rubik's cube in 1min 40sec.
On top of that he has an appreciation of music far beyond his years.
``I read an article that says music heals the soul, and it does.''
