About This Daily Classroom Special
The Music Quest
focuses on discovering the wonders of our musical universe. Visit it for a musical question—a description and hints about a mystery composer, musician, instrument or musical excerpt.
The Music Quest was written by former Teachers Network Web Mentor Kristi Thomas, a
teacher at William F. Halley Elementary School Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Answer 1
Yo-Yo Ma is considered one of the premier cellists of his generation. His extraordinary talents have had an enormous impact on the world of classical music. This popular artist has been a soloist with orchestras around the world and is a celebrated recital and chamber music performer. Ma has recorded nearly 50 albums and earned twelve Grammy Awards.
Born in Paris in 1955 to Chinese parents, Yo-Yo Ma began his cello studies with his father at the age of four. He later studied with Janos Scholz and, in 1962, became the pupil of Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School of
Music. He received the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize in 1978 and is a graduate of Harvard University, from which he also received an honorary doctorate in 1991.
Ma is an outstanding example for younger musicians everywhere. While touring, he takes time whenever possible to conduct masterclasses as as informal programs for students.
Ma plays two instruments, a 1733 Montagnana cello from Venice and a Davidoff Stradivarius, made in 1712.
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