Yo-Yo Ma was born in Paris on October 7, 1955, to Chinese parents.
The cello is larger than a violin and makes a deeper sound.
While he was a good and obedient boy at home, he was rebellious and got into trouble at school.
He enrolled in Columbia University but dropped out. He eventually graduated from Harvard.
Ma feels deeply that music should not just entertain, but should touch the hearts of people and bring them closer together.
He is very versatile and does not play only classical music; he has played tango music, traditional Chinese melodies, and bluegrass.
He left his $2.5 million cello in a taxi, but fortunately got it back unharmed.
He found out he had scoliosis and thought his career was over, but he had a successful operation and continued to play.
His wife, Jill Horner, is a violinist.
Silk Road brings together composers and musicians from ten different countries.
