Yo-Yo Ma
Mar 26, 2015
Yo-Yo MaYo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo MaYo-Yo MaBorn October 7, 1955 in Paris, FranceMoved to NYC when he was 5Very Musical Family - Mom was a
singer, dad was a violinist and music professor
Started on the violin, then switched to viola. Wanted to play the bass, but compromised with the cello because of the size of the bass.
Born October 7, 1955 in Paris, FranceMoved to NYC when he was 5Very Musical Family - Mom was a
singer, dad was a violinist and music professor
Started on the violin, then switched to viola. Wanted to play the bass, but compromised with the cello because of the size of the bass.
Started performing for audiences at age 5
Age 7 - Performed for Presidents John F. Kennedy & Dwight D. Eisenhower
Age 8 - appeared on tv with his sister in a concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein
Started performing for audiences at age 5
Age 7 - Performed for Presidents John F. Kennedy & Dwight D. Eisenhower
Age 8 - appeared on tv with his sister in a concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein
EducationEducationAge 15 - Graduated from Trinity
School in NYCTrinity - Private School - Notable
attendees/alumni include:Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Connelly,
Oliver Stone, Ryu Goto (brother of Midori), Stacy London, and John McEnroe
Studied Cello at Julliard with Leonard Rose
Briefly attended Columbia University before enrolling at Harvard University
Age 15 - Graduated from Trinity School in NYCTrinity - Private School - Notable
attendees/alumni include:Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Connelly,
Oliver Stone, Ryu Goto (brother of Midori), Stacy London, and John McEnroe
Studied Cello at Julliard with Leonard Rose
Briefly attended Columbia University before enrolling at Harvard University
Played in Marlboro Festival Orchestra under direction of Pablo Casals
Received his Bachelor’s Degree (liberal arts) from Harvard in 1976
2009 - President Obama appointed Ma to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities
Played in Marlboro Festival Orchestra under direction of Pablo Casals
Received his Bachelor’s Degree (liberal arts) from Harvard in 1976
2009 - President Obama appointed Ma to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities
AwardsAwards1978 - Avery Fisher Prize1999 - Glenn Gould Prize2001 - National Medal of the Arts2006 - Dan David Prize2006 - Sonning Prize2008 - World Economic Forum’s Crystal AwardAppointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the
U.S. Dept. of State in 2002 - met with, trained and mentored thousands of students worldwide including Lithuania, Korea, Lebanon, Azerbaijan and China
Performed with and conducted master classes for members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra
1978 - Avery Fisher Prize1999 - Glenn Gould Prize2001 - National Medal of the Arts2006 - Dan David Prize2006 - Sonning Prize2008 - World Economic Forum’s Crystal AwardAppointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the
U.S. Dept. of State in 2002 - met with, trained and mentored thousands of students worldwide including Lithuania, Korea, Lebanon, Azerbaijan and China
Performed with and conducted master classes for members of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra
Currently plays with his Silk Road EnsembleGoal is to bring together musicians
from diverse countries all of which are historically linked via the Silk Road
Currently plays with his Silk Road EnsembleGoal is to bring together musicians
from diverse countries all of which are historically linked via the Silk Road
CelloCelloNicknamed Petunia
Little girl named it when Ma had not.
Made by Domenico Montagnana in 1733Valued at $2.5 million dollarsLost in the fall of 1999 when Ma accidentally
left it in a taxicab in NYCAnother of Ma’s cellos, the Davidov
Stradivarius, was previously owned by Jacqueline du Pre who passed it to him upon her death
Ma also owns a carbon fiber cello made by the Luis and Clark company of Boston
Nicknamed PetuniaLittle girl named it when Ma had not.
Made by Domenico Montagnana in 1733Valued at $2.5 million dollarsLost in the fall of 1999 when Ma accidentally
left it in a taxicab in NYCAnother of Ma’s cellos, the Davidov
Stradivarius, was previously owned by Jacqueline du Pre who passed it to him upon her death
Ma also owns a carbon fiber cello made by the Luis and Clark company of Boston
MusicMusic
Very eclectic repertoire including: Baroque period (using period instruments), American Bluegrass, Chinese melodies, Tangos, collaboration with Bobby McFerrin and Philip Glass.
Very eclectic repertoire including: Baroque period (using period instruments), American Bluegrass, Chinese melodies, Tangos, collaboration with Bobby McFerrin and Philip Glass.
DiscographyDiscography
Movies1997 - Seven Years in Tibet2000 - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon2003 - Master and Commander: The Far
Side of the World2005 - Memoirs of a Geisha
Has over 75 albums, 15 of which are Grammy Award winners
Movies1997 - Seven Years in Tibet2000 - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon2003 - Master and Commander: The Far
Side of the World2005 - Memoirs of a Geisha
Has over 75 albums, 15 of which are Grammy Award winners
ReferencesReferences
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_Yo_Ma
http://www.yo-yoma.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_Yo_Ma
http://www.yo-yoma.com/
Personal LifePersonal Life
1977 - married long-time girlfriend, Jill Hornor, whom he met while playing in Marlboro Festival OrchestraShe is a German Language professor
2 - Kids: Nicholas & EmilyCurrently resides in Boston, Mass.
1977 - married long-time girlfriend, Jill Hornor, whom he met while playing in Marlboro Festival OrchestraShe is a German Language professor
2 - Kids: Nicholas & EmilyCurrently resides in Boston, Mass.