My nephew is a dedicated cellist who is graduating from high school. I was hoping against hope that you could find a brief moment to wish him congratulations and encouragement. This would not only be an incredible honor for him, but would also solidify my position as "coolest uncle ever." His name is Brian. You are welcome to use my email address for correspondence- tjsmiller@gmail.com

Thank you for your consideration- and for the Goat Rodeo!

Dear Yo-Yo Ma,
After a long estrangement from the cello, I have recently returned to it and a powerful memory of you I hadn't thought about in quite some time came back to me. I remember when I was a little kid, shortly after I had began learning the cello, I was struggling, as I'm sure everyone does when they start. I wasn't sure if it was really something I wanted to do. I honestly started becuase my mom had suggested it and I didn't know much about instruments. I think I was about 8. Anyway, I had been playing for maybe a year or so and wasn't sure if it was really for me, and then this happened...

I grew up in upstate New York, just south of the Adirondacks, and my parents frequently took us to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to see the orchestra that would play in the summer. The summer after I started playing cello, you came through on a tour. I guess as part of some kind of publicity thing, the local newspaper took my elementary school grade to have a talk and do a photoshoot with you. I remember you being incredibly nice and charismatic. You told wonderful stories about music with this passion that was inspiring. I think I was the only one of the kids who played the cello, but obviously wasn't any good and I remember being nervous to talk about it. I got a chance to ask you a question and I asked, "When you were young, before you began playing the cello, why did you choose the cello of all instruments?" I remember you having to pause for a moment to really think about it, which is nice as a kid to feel like you asked an adult something meaningful, heh. Finally you're reply was simply, "Of all instruments, I felt the cello sounded most like the Earth. And to play the cello, made me feel connected with the Earth." I felt so pleased with this answer that I continued to play the cello for another 8 years.

Sometimes, as adults, we don't realize the impact we can have inspiring children. I had given up on the cello when I was 16 for varous reasons, but continued to persue many avenues of music. I've never forgotten to think about how a sound makes me feel rather than just being notes on a page. I'm now 28, returning to the cello, and your words and your music still bring me inspiration 20 years later. You're certainly a wonderful musician, but more importantly, you are a wonderful person!

Dear Maestro,
There is No Believe - but still a lot to live . I cancelled my previous letter because there is No chance that you take a look
Love,
Houtaf Khoury

Hello, my name is Andrew (Sandy) Tolan. I am the author of The Lemon Tree (a book about the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians), and currently working on a book about music as a source of hope and inspiration for Palestinian children. A big part of my book is about the formation of the West Eastern Divan Orchestra, and the friendship between Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim. I've spent time in Cologne and London with the Divan, and interviewed Maestro Barenboim several times, and Mariam Said many times for the book. I am of course aware of Yo-Yo Ma's connection with the orchestra, particularly at Weimar in 1999, and also came across his correspondence with Edward Said in the Said archives at Columbia.

I would very much like to meet Mr. Ma for an interview in Boston, or wherever it might be convenient for him. I live in Southern California and see that he will be in the state in January; this might be the best time to meet.

Could you please let me know?

thanks much and all the best,
Sandy Tolan
sandytolan@gmail.com

Dear Mr Ma,

I was privileged to seat behind you yesterday at the Kennedy Center. It was amazing to see you play up close. Amazing.
I was wondering if you could tell me what was the piece you played in the encore. It was my favorite of the night. So beautiful...I could feel it in my soul.
Thank you for bringing so much joy to all of our lives.
Kind regards

Dear Mr. Yo Yo Ma-
My daughter is a huge fan. She is dying to see you, so as a Christmas present, I have procured tickets for your performance in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Is there any way she can meet you. I have sent a few messages on Facebook to you with no reply. I am trying so hard to make this happy for her. Please consider the request. Nora Hangu and Maestro Suttle.

It's rare as a parent to have a child who is so passionate about music early on and has elected to pursue it as a career. Our son, Jason, is 16 and is becoming quite the accomplished cellist. He studies with two excellent instructors, a wonderful orchestra teacher at our public school who recognized his potential in middle school and my wife who has played the diligent chauffer to get him to and from all of his lessons. Recently, Jason was accepted to a wonderful junior symphony. Your music, among other performers, has been an inspriation to help elevate his love for the cello far beyond what we ever anticipated. We are suprising him this Christmas with tickets to your performance in Chicago on Saturday March 2nd. It would be a great honor if there was any way for him to meet you, even if for just a moment.

Thanks for your consideration,

Tom West

I worked as an LPN in the infirmary of camp mahkeenac in lenox, Mass. in 1993 and I met Mr and Mrs Ma and their daughter. Nicholas was a camper. I remember them being very nice and polite and at that time I had not idea who he was. I have been wondering what nicholas has been up to since I last saw him. I am guessing he would be about 29. If at all possible, please pass this message on to him. I would be interested to know if he remembered me from then. Thank you!

Dear Forum Reviewer, and in turn Mr. Yo-Yo Ma,

My name is Stephen Abbott and I am a recent high school graduate planning to major in music composition and piano performance in university. Though I do not play the cello, your music has led me to a great respect and passion for classical music, as well as music in general. I live in Lubbock, TX and greatly look forward to your appearance in Lubbock on September 10. The reason I write, however, is on behalf of a good friend of mine named Madeline Garcia. She is a recent high school graduate herself and has been playing cello for practically her entire homeschooled life. She has held first chair cello in nearly every youth orchestra and ensemble she has played in. This includes the Lubbock Youth Symphony Orchestra (now the Youth Orchestra of Lubbock). This very night she is auditioning for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. I am certain she has been greatly inspired by your gifts and your musical compositions. It is for this reason that I would like to request, if at all possible that you read this by September 10, that Madeline and I - especially Madeline - be able to meet you in person at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theater following your performance when you visit our city next month. I understand you are doubtlessly planning to be preoccupied, but even if it is just for one minute, I know it would mean more to her than you know for her to meet you. I have confidence she herself will one day become an accomplished cellist; she is already off to an amazing start. It would mean so much to me as well if she, being the wonderful young lady she is, could have the pleasure of meeting you.

You may email me at ivoryzebra618@cs.com if you'd like to personally confirm. Madeline and I would be honored to be given the privilege of seeking you out following your performance in Lubbock.

Thank you for blessing us and the world through your music.

Sincerely, and with admiration,
Stephen Abbott

Maestro Ma,

I am near my 50s and very good level amateur cellist, after having studied very hard in my youth (with the late maestro Bonucci jr. http://www.bonucci.org/AB/main.html ) I am currently working hard on my Popper and Piatti ( lot of hard work ) trying to decipher the Bach Sarabande from suite n. 6. In this context and given the difficulty would you appreciate sending a little gem of help with regard to best approach to the Bachian 'Mount Everest' !! thank you so very much indeed.

Best from Rome City

Flavio

Just like Yo Yo Ma. I am also a crazy about the music but as per their age consult which is almost 81 hats off to them. This is really a great information from your site. From now I will regularly visit your site so I had already bookmarked it.
http://www.pharmaexpressrx.net/

Dear Mr. Yo Yo Ma

I'm a thirteen year old girl from Scotland. I play violin, (yes, violin) and I have been truly inspired by your playing.
Six weeks ago, I underwent surgery to correct my scoliosis, and only tonight I have found out that you underwent the same surgery!
Basically, I'm wondering if you can awnser a few questions:

After surgery did your technique improve?
Did your arm feel more free?

My email address is; selinaross9@yahoo.com

I would be greatly appreciative if you could help!

With kind regards,
Selina Ross.

I love those CDs!!!!! The Dona Nobis Pacem that Yo-Yo Ma played was just like the one that I played in my orchestra!!!!!

I agree. I think that the goat rodeo was the preformance that made me really love Yo-Yo Ma. at first I thought that he was cool, but after seeing that preformance I fell in love with him. He is AMAZING!!!!

I have always been a fan but after watching The Goat Rodeo on PBS I really became a fan or maybe group y. I teach acoustic guitar and play professionally for a living and was deeply moved, sometimes to tears or laughter. The combination of styles are refreshing for this day and age and brings a new sound that I fell in love with. I had to purchase the C.D. for my library. Hoping you come to San Francisco. Thank You Yo Yo for bringing so much integrity to the arts.
Robert Aguirre

I watched the Goat Rodeo Sessions on my local PBS station last night. And I laughed, I cried and pooped my pants. You can ask my wiffe. The music moved me spirtitually. Thank you guys so much for sharing your talents. God Is Love and Music.
nemoapprovedmusic.com

Dear Mr. Ma,
I am a neurologist and a member of the World Doctors' Orchestra. Our members come from all over the world. We play twice a year with the purpose of raising awareness that health care is a basic human right, and also in order to raise money for a health-related purpose. For example, we played in Yerevan, Armenia and outifitted a dental clinic in a children's home and day center. One of our members was the dentist who needed this equipment for the orphans and handicapped children she cares for. We played with a children's chorus in Elansdorne, South Africa and raised money for the Tempelmann Medical Foundation there. Would you consider playing with us? Please e-mail me if you would like to discuss this further. You can hear us on our web site.

While getting acknowledgement for his work on the Scripps university, he was also employed by Florida Institution of Technological innovation in Kaufman Hall to style a list of dormitories and the developing for the Athenaeum, a personal team on the college's university.

Mr. Ma,
Several of our friends have insisted that we tell you that our three-year-old daughter adores you to the point that you have become her imaginary friend. You might be suprised to know that you often have dinner with us, go on walks and bike rides with us and even travel and run errands with us. She has loved to listen to you play since she was 18 months old and would often request to listen to your "Classic Yo Yo" album as she fell asleep. We were so taken aback by her love of the cello and your music that we started her in cello lessons at age 2 1/2. When she practices, you are in the room with us, often on your own cello stool, watching her play. At her lessons she loves to "play like Yo Yo" for her teacher, which involves moving her feet up and down, closing her eyes and bowing back and forth as fast as she can. Thank you for your beautiful work and for being such an insipiration to our daughter, Amelie.

Anne Christensen, New Mexico

Dear Yo-Yo Ma

My name is Jeremiah Titone and I am a home school student currently in a band with three other home school students. We have played mostly alternative music at clubs around long island but we have recently written a classical pop crossover song centered around an inspirational cello melody. We are currently in a most desperate need of an inspirational classical crossover cellist and we also require a singer. We would all be ecstatic if you and Josh Groban would consider recording with us. We were planning a summer release and this would be most helpful. Feel free to listen to the songs we have up on YouTube and Itunes. Thank you so much -32 Pints of Apple Juice

im 24 years old and im student in universty i like music and travel so much and im work at home i sell ukash cards in my web sites http://www.ukash-tr.com and i earn some money to help my education i work at nights all off week day i like this blog its very nice to read article in my free times have nice days all bloger

Mr. Yo-Yo Ma, I am currently in college pursuing Music Theory and playing Cello, and I want you to know that you have been my inspiration from a young age. I saw you at the Master Class at the Kansas City Symphony, and hope to see you again sometime in concert. You have a wonderful spirit and it shows in your music! -Colette

Dear Mr. YoYo Ma, thank you for your "art"and thank you for your time.. I'm trying to make a new works and I really need your collaboration (it's serious). Grateful for a your reply, waiting for some good news. Kind regards and good work from Italy.

My 10 year old son has finally found something he loves, playing the cello.We live in Chico where you will be playing April 28th but the tickets are sold out. Would you consider playing a short performance for the school kids? All kids at Blue Oak Charter School take violin, some progress to cello and my son plays in the orchestra. Please consider the kids who would love to hear you.
Thank you.
Martha Mcdermott

My 8 year old son has been studying cello for almost two years now, and he's looking forward to your concert in Mesa this Sunday. He told me that "all I want to do is to shake his hand and tell him that I'm a cellist too." I told him that likely wouldn't happen, but know that you've made an impression and have inspired him, which is especially helpful when he needs to practice. Looking forward to hearing you on Sunday!

My 8 year old son has been studying cello for almost two years now, and he's looking forward to your concert in Mesa this Sunday. He told me that "all I want to do is to shake his hand and tell him that I'm a cellist too." I told him that likely wouldn't happen, but know that you've made an impression and have inspired him, which is especially helpful when he needs to practice. Looking forward to hearing you on Sunday!

My 8 year old son has been studying cello for almost two years now, and he's looking forward to your concert in Mesa this Sunday. He told me that "all I want to do is to shake his hand and tell him that I'm a cellist too." I told him that likely wouldn't happen, but know that you've made an impression and have inspired him, which is especially helpful when he needs to practice. Looking forward to hearing you on Sunday!

Mr. Ma,

You will come to Mesa, AZ on April 22. I'll request an encore in advance. My wife's name is Hong, which in her case translates to swan. If your webmaster is sharp and you receive this in time, could you and Kathryn (and Petunia) play Saint-Saens' Swan?

Dear Mr. Ma,

Your eloquence and fluency as a dedicated and heart-felt cellist has profoundly shaped me. I would like to thank you for your efforts as a musician and as a public figure.

Regards,
Hasan Mohammad

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when possible I volunteer for for valid causes that help the environment.

Its great to be a part of this awesome venue and I am helpful.

Would like to know who should I contact for booking your performance?
Please reply nutnuts@yahoo.com
Thanks

I assume that there is a webmaster of this site gossip @http://iloveblockbustermovies.tumblr.com

Looking at my age, I have not much time and therefore wish to rush this as much as possible. hollyhood @ http://iloveblockbustermovies.tumblr.com

My 11 year old daughter read a short story about Mr. Ma in a school test today. She really enjoyed reading it, I must admit we have never heard of Mr. Ma prior to this. We then looked Mr. Ma up on the internet and found this site. We really enjoyed hearing the music. We are hoping that he will come to Cleveland, Ohio in the furture, we would love to go see him in person. My daughter is Chinese and enjoys reading about and learning about other Chinese Americans.

Hello, I am currently choreographing a dance to the first one and a half minutes of "Attaboy" by Goat Rodeo Sessions. I am hoping to perform it at a local concert in Utah at the end of this month. A copyright concern has been raised because the performance is going to be recorded and then a copy will be given to those who were in it. I am writing to ask permission to use the piece of this song. Please let me know if this is a possibility.

Sincerely,
Melissa P.

Dear Mr. Ma,

This is Alison from Kang Hsuan Educational Publisher (http://www.knsh.com.tw/), Taiwan. I am writing this email to you for asking your kind permission of using your picture, as attached, in a music and culture relative book, which we are working on. Because you are so famous and outstanding in the field music, we truly hope that your picture can be the cover of the book. Please kindly let me know if you need anything from us or anything about the book.

If we could have your kind permission, we will send you a letter of permission, which kindly allows us to use the picture, as attached, as the cover of the book.

Looking forward to your warm response.
My email address:peiju@tps1.knsh.com.tw
alison07012002@yahoo.com.tw

Sincerely,
Alison

Dear Mr. Ma,
This is Alison from Kang Hsuan Educational Publisher (http://www.knsh.com.tw/), Taiwan. I am writing this email to you for asking your kind permission of using your picture, as attached, in a music and culture relative book, which we are working on. Because you are so famous and outstanding in the field music, we truly hope that your picture can be the cover of the book. Please kindly let me know if you need anything from us or anything about the book.
If we could have your kind permission, we will send you a letter of permission, which kindly allows us to use the picture, as attached, as the cover of the book.

Looking forward to your warm response.

Sincerely,
Alison

Yo-Yo Ma - We need your help with an arts advocacy piece.
We would like to put your image behind that of a young student learning a string instrument in a poster advocating the support of arts education in K-12 schools.

As you know, arts (music, theatre, visual arts and dance) programs are facing major cuts and sometimes elimination in these difficult economic times.

I am a teacher in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and our Arts Advisory Council is working with a design group that had donated time and creative energy towards designing an image and message asking the public to support the arts - visual arts, music, dance and theatre.

I would like to send a DRAFT poster for your review where a transparent image of you is placed as a backdrop behind a young student playing a string instrument.

My contact information is:

Diane Wilkin
Fine and Performing Arts
Harry S Truman High School
3000 Green Lane
Levittown, PA 19057
school number is 215-547-3000
my e-mail is: dwilkin@btsd.us or diwilkin@gmail.com

Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to communicating further with you.

Sincerely,

Diane

Hello Mr. Ma,
Last year you came to Kalamazoo, MI and played with the symphony. After the performance there was an invitation-only reception in an adjacent building and when you first walked in there were 8 young cellists playing for you (The Grace Notes). You graciously came over and shook all their hands. The first one you introduced yourself to was my 15 year old son, Brett Howland. This summer Brett is taking a missions trip the Kenya and as a way off raising support they are having a silent auction on March 9, 2012. Is there anything that you could send us that could be auctioned off?

Thank you for that night, my son will never forget shaking your hand (he really wanted to play Julie-O for you that night, but he never got the chance) .

Thank you so very much!
Sincerely,
Steve Howland
stelene@charter.net

Wishful thinking, I know...

Yo-Yo Ma is coming to the University of Arizona on April 21 to play a concert. I have had my tickets for months now. What I'm writing about is that the following Sunday (4/22) @ 3PM at the University of Arizona's College of Music there is a Steel Drum concert that I am part. We will be playing Adagio for Strings and (as I know this is pretty much any fans dream) we would love to have him play alongside us. If someone high enough up does somehow manage to read this and consider it a possibility, please get back to me. It would mean the world to the University of Arizona Steel Band!!!

My name is Teresa Cooper and I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of North Texas. I am choreographing a dance for our Faculty Dance Concert in April. My husband, Andy Cooper is a professional musician, clarinet player, a graduate of UNT who had a major stroke in September which paraylzed his left side ( see www.caringbridge.org-visit Andrew Cooper)
This dance deals with the bond my husband and I have and the bonds of true friends who help you get through times like these. I would love to use three selections from Yo-Yo Ma & Friends Songs of Joy & Peace: Improvisation on Dona Nobis Pacem- Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile; Invitacio'n al Danzo'n- Paquito D'Rivera, Alon Yavnai; and Here Comes the Son- James Taylor. This music speaks to my heart and touches me. The concert does not make money. It is designed to provide an educational experience for the dancers as well as the audience.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
T. Cooper

Hello there Mr. Ma,

My friend and I are sophomores at the Wheatley school, and we are working on an interdisciplinary, multi-media project on Human Nature. As part of our ongoing investigation, we are hoping you will be willing to allow us to interview you because we would like more information on how music helps people interact with each other, and you are an expert in the field of music. We need to finish gathering our information in the next two weeks so if you are available, please contact us at your earliest convenience at:
Email: itschau@yahoo.com
or by phone at (347-827-6561)
Here are some questions we may ask so you get a taste of the kind of information we are seeking:
"How does music help us communicate with each other?
Do you believe music is a universal language? Why?
How does music help people, especially those with illnesses?"

Thank you in advance for any assistance!
Our teacher is Ms. Karen Bartscherer, and her contact information is:
kbartscherer@ewsdonline.org
(516-333-7110)

Sincerely,
Heather & Chloe of Wheatley. (:

I'd like to walk down the aisle to Yo Yo Ma prelude from Bach´s Cello Suite No. 1.
(Although open to other Yo Yo Ma suggestions?)

So Mr Ma, if you fancy a quick working holiday to the beautiful Lake District National Park in the UK around March 31st 2012, give me a shout!! There's a £500 donation to your favourite charity up for grabs

Off to the shop now.

Jane

I just want to thank you Yo Yo Ma. I hope I will meet you.

Clarinet Player.

What a beautiful tribute to Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center Honors! It was obvious Mr. Ma was overwhelmed by the performers and music, as was the entire audience! What more could one want with John Williams conducting, James Taylor singing, the wonderful musicians performing and a children's choir singing The Beatles' classic Here Comes The Sun! I didn't realize how much Mr. Ma has stepped out of the classical circle with his music. When I heard the Silk Road Ensemble perform, it made me think of Robert Plant singing the beautiful Life Begin Again. I wondered if Yo-Yo would consider recording with Jimmy Page and Robert. It is not such a far out idea. Jimmy's solos can be beautiful and tender, as is also the case with Robert's duets with Alison Kraus. I think it could be a wonderful meeting of minds and talent!

Hello Mr. Ma. I host a lecture series at Worcester Academy in Worcester Massachusetts. I was wondering if you ever do speaking engagements for high school audiences (?). Your message re: the need for cultural understanding would resonate with our educational philosophy and the themes we usually highlight as part of our speaker series every year. Below is a link to an article I published that mentions your work. I include it to show seriousness and real alignment with your lives work and mission.

Sincerely,
John R. Murnane

http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/8.1/murnane.html

http://jazztimes.com/community/articles/24960-towards-an-inclusive-narrative

Pleas, Please, Please tour the goat rodeo. The world needs to see this.

Yo-Yo-Ma ,
You Touch my Heart with your inspiring Music I'm an 11 year old cellist i've been playing cello for 3 years and i've admired you for ever but My dream is to be a cellist in The CSO when i'm old enough. I wanted to play the cello when I was three. my teacher played in the CSO I play cello, piano ,harp, and can play the violin but i played Violin for 2 years when was four I saw your concert It was amazing It was amazing how you kept playing while helping the violinist fix his music because it was blowing away!!!!! Your truly amazing. and I don't know How I could ever live without music I love writing about you in my writing class I hope someday i'll play in the CSO and be so committed like you are!!!!!!,

Jean