Yo-Yo Ma, also known as Yo-Yo Ma, is a world-renowned cellist who has been performing and recording music for more than 50 years.
He is considered one of the greatest cellists of all time and has won multiple Grammy Awards for his performances.
In addition to his successful career as a musician, Yo-Yo Ma is also a teacher and humanitarian who uses his platform to advocate for social and political issues.
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- Full name: Yo-Yo Ma
- Stage name: Yo-Yo Ma
- Date of Birth: October 7, 1955
- Age: 68
- Birthplace: Paris, France
- Nationality: Chinese
- Occupation: Singer
- Height: 1.78 m
- Parents: Hiao-Tsiun Ma, Marina Lu
- Brothers and sisters: Ma Youcheng
- Spouse: Jill Horner
- Children: Nicholas, Emily Ma
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $20 million
Early life and education
Yo-Yo Ma was born on October 7, 1955 in Paris, France, to Chinese parents. His father, Ma Xiaojun, is a violinist, and his mother, Lu Wenjing, is a singer.
He grew up with his sister, Ma Youcheng. When he was four, the family moved to New York City and he began studying cello with Leonard Ross at the Juilliard School.
He later attended Harvard University and earned a degree in anthropology.
Profession
Yo-Yo Ma is one of the world’s famous cellists. He started playing the cello at a young age and showed extraordinary talent.
He received training at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School and Harvard University and began his career at the age of 19.
Yo-Yo Ma has since performed with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, showcasing his virtuosity and expressive playing.
He is renowned for the breadth of his repertoire, which covers periods from the Baroque to contemporary music.
In addition to his solo career, Ma is a dedicated chamber musician who has collaborated with some of the world’s leading artists, including pianists Emanuel Ax and Itzhak Perlman, and violinists Isaac Stern and Midori Goto.
He has recorded over 90 albums and has won 19 Grammy Awards for his talent and technique. Ma is best known for his recordings of the Bach Cello Suites, which he performed live and recorded in 2018 to great acclaim.
His musical collaborations and recordings have made him one of the most celebrated and influential cellists of all time.
In addition to his performing arts career, Ma is a passionate educator and advocate for the arts, and he has served as artistic director of the Silk Road Project, an initiative that brings together musicians from different cultures to create new music.
He is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace and uses his platform to promote peace and understanding around the world.
In addition, Yo-Yo Ma also founded the “Yo-Yo Ma Music Education Initiative” to address the lack of quality music education in schools.
He also frequently gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, sharing his knowledge and passion for music.
Yo-Yo Ma’s commitment to using music to build connections and drive social change is a testament to the power and importance of the arts in our society.
Awards and nominations
- Avery Fisher Award (1978)
- Glenn Gould Award (1999)
- National Medal of Arts (2001)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2011)
- Polar Music Prize (2012)
- Birgit Nielsen Award (2022)
- Named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2020
social media
- Twitter: @YoYo_Ma
- Instagram: @yoyoma
- Facebook: @YoYoMa
personal life
Ma, 68, is married to another cellist, Jill Horner. They have two children.
Their son Nicholas graduated from Harvard University, and their daughter Emily graduated from Harvard University and Columbia University.
net worth
Yo-Yo Ma has an estimated net worth of $20 million, a fortune he earned through his successful cello career and his performances and recordings with renowned orchestras around the world.
In addition to his outstanding performances, Ma has won numerous awards and honors, further increasing his assets.
