ReThinking How Yo-Yo Ma sustains his creative energy
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Feb 28, 2023 Join renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a passionate humanitarian and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, as he shares insights on sustaining creative energy amidst challenges. He discusses his experiences with burnout and the importance of energy management. Yo-Yo also delves into the emotional connections music creates, highlighting performances for diverse audiences and the comfort it offered during the pandemic. Reflecting on kindness in tough times, he emphasizes how personal connections in music can foster a more compassionate future.
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Slow Learning and Mastery
- Yo-Yo Ma considers himself a slow learner despite being a child prodigy.
- He believes that true mastery involves integrating head, heart, and hands, not just technical skill.
Conflicting Cultural Messages
- Yo-Yo Ma's parents emphasized both music and their multicultural background (French, Chinese, American).
- This created conflicting messages for him as a child, leading to questions about identity and belonging.
Yo-Yo Ma's encounter with Danny Kaye
- Yo-Yo Ma remembers playing for JFK at age seven, but his strongest memory is of Danny Kaye.
- Kaye interacted with him at eye level and made the National Symphony do funny things.