Yo Yo Ma visited a Calgary elementary school to give music lesson

Dec 8 2017, 7:08 am

A group of young musicians were in for a treat on Thursday when cellist Yo Yo Ma arrived at their school.

The famous cellist was in Calgary to perform two sold out concerts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), but he managed to find the time to give a short performance for a younger crowd.

Yo Yo Ma

Yo Yo Ma at Keeler Elementary School (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra)

Roughly 55 students of CPO’s Philkids Programme played their instruments for Ma when he arrived, and afterwards Ma treated them to some of his music as well.

“It’s always wonderful to walk into a room where you see children are engaged and curious,” Ma said in a press release.

“I can see the long-term effects of what the teachers, staff, and musicians have created. They have created a space for these students where their imagination and curiosity for the world is supported and encouraged.”

Yo Yo Ma

Yo Yo Ma at Keeler Elementary School (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra)

According to Paul Dornian, the president and CEO of the CPO, it was a pleasure to see the cellist with the students.

“Seeing Yo-Yo Ma interacting and making music with these elementary school children put a lump in my throat,” he said.

“Mr. Ma is a master communicator whether he is playing his cello, talking to the children, or listening to their wisdom. It made me want to be eight years old again.”

Not a far cry from when Ma made a guest appearance on the popular TV show Arthur alongside fellow musician Joshua Redman:

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