Yo-Yo Ma

Performs for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy at age seven. At eight, he appears on American television introduced by Leonard Bernstein. By the time most children are learning multiplication tables, he's playing Bach suites for heads of state.

Wins the Avery Fisher Prize. He's studied at Juilliard and Harvard, choosing a liberal arts education over pure conservatory training. The decision shapes his career. He doesn't just play classical repertoire. He collaborates with bluegrass musicians, tango composers, Chinese folk artists, Bobby McFerrin, and Sting.

Founds the Silk Road Ensemble, bringing together musicians from the countries along the ancient Silk Road trading routes. The project runs for over two decades. His primary instrument is a Stradivarius cello from 1712 called the Davidov. He once left it in a taxi. Got it back.

20 Grammy Awards. 92 albums. United Nations Messenger of Peace. Presidential Medal of Freedom. He's played at inaugurations, memorials, and street corners during the pandemic. The boy from Paris with the 1/16th cello has become the most recognized classical musician alive.