The 14-year-old Macintyre High School student was a member of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Orchestra and returns home from China tomorrow.

As part of the orchestra, which is made up of talented musicians from across the world, Lauren performed at a range of events including Tainjin and the Olympic stadium before a soccer match.

With six official performances, Lauren has had a great time on her first trip overseas by herself.

Her mother Jenny said it was a fabulous experience for her.

“She has really enjoyed herself and she really has been able to participate in a range of cultural experiences,” Jenny said.

Just like the athletes, Lauren along with the other musicians, were immersed in the Olympic spirit, and have rehearsed and shared their love of music in the orchestra village.

As well as showing their musical talents, the students also had an opportunity see a wide range of tourist icons.

They were able to tour the Olympic village, enjoyed a Beijing Peking duck banquet and on Saturday visited Shanghai for three days of shopping and sightseeing.

Lauren was chosen to be a member of the Beijing Olympic Orchestra after being part of the Millennium Marching Band.

The orchestra was developed to enrich the lives of student musicians and give them a unique experience.

Lauren has played the flute since she was eight-years-old and in the lead up to the event travelled to Sydney each month for practice sessions with fellow NSW musicians.

Lauren’s year 9 music teacher Peter Schuhmacher said the school was very proud of her.

“She definitely has the skill to be a part of something as big as this and she has taken the opportunity to do it,” he said.

“The chance came up and she took it with both hands which is fantastic for her.”

Other NSW towns who had students in the orchestra included Boorowa, Coonabarabran, Forbes, Gilgandra, Orange and Tamworth.