Edward King, from New Zealand, competed against Australians Ruben Palma and Yelian He on Sunday at the finals of the inaugural Australian Cello Awards at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Ultimately, after hours of performance and deliberation, Mr He, 29, was awarded the honour.

The career-changing prize provides a cash payment and professional guidance including introductions to senior musicians.

Almost a dozen candidates first had to put together a repertoire and perform it in a YouTube video.

Interviewed before the final performances to decide the winner, the trio were calm about the challenge.

Mr King, 23, has played the cello since he was three, after being drawn to it by its size.

''I don't normally get nervous, I'm quite excited.'' he said.

Mr He said he, too, was elated to make it to the final round and to perform in front of the packed audience.

Roland Gridiger, chairman of the Australian Cello Awards, said the standard of entrants was very high.

''This is the first cello competition of its kind in Australia and New Zealand,'' Mr Gridiger said.

''It will encourage Australian and New Zealand cellists to strive to get to a very high level so that they can compete internationally.''