Profile of the Day: Yo-Yo Ma
Does music run in your family? Today legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma celebrates his 59th birthday! Born in Paris France to Chinese parents, music was a large part of everyday life in the Ma family. His mother, Marina Lu, was a singer and his father, Hiao-Tsiun Ma, was a violinist and professor of music at Nanjing National Central University. A child prodigy, Ma began performing in front of live audiences at the age of 5 and by the age of 7, he had performed for both Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.
An accomplished musician, Ma has recorded 75 albums and received 15 Grammy Awards. In 2011, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Explore Yo-Yo Ma’s family tree on Geni and see how you’re related to the gifted cellist.
View Yo-Yo Ma’s Geni Profile