Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma was born in Paris to Chinese parents; his mother, Marina Lu, was a singer, and his father, Hiao-Tsiun Ma, was a violinist and music professor. He began studying cello at age four, and by age five he performed publicly. The family moved to New York when Ma was seven, and he studied with Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School. He later enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology in 1976.¹

Ma's career took off after his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1971. He has since performed with leading orchestras and conductors, and has premiered works by composers such as John Williams, Osvaldo Golijov, and Tan Dun. In 1998, he founded the Silk Road Project, later the Silk Road Ensemble, to explore cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road. This project has produced numerous recordings and educational initiatives.²

Ma's discography includes the six Bach Cello Suites, which he has recorded three times, and the Grammy-winning album "Soul of the Tango" (1997). He has also recorded with artists like Bobby McFerrin and the Kronos Quartet. His performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and his appearance at the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert are among his notable public appearances.

In addition to his 19 Grammys, Ma has received numerous honors, including the Avery Fisher Prize (1978), the National Medal of Arts (2001), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011), and the Kennedy Center Honors (2011). He has also been named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.³

Ma has a deep interest in anthropology, which he studied at Harvard, and he has said that his understanding of culture influences his musical interpretations. He has also been an advocate for music education, serving as a creative consultant for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Negaunee Music Institute. In 2020, he performed a series of "Songs of Comfort" during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing daily performances on social media.

Silk Road Ensemble

A musical collective founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 1998 to promote cross-cultural collaboration among musicians from countries along the historic Silk Road.

Cello Suites (Bach)

Six suites for unaccompanied cello by Johann Sebastian Bach, considered among the most important works for the instrument.

Grammy Award

An award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry.