Likely the world’s most recognizable cellist, Yo-Yo Ma has spent more than 60 years creating meaning through music. Now, the 18-time Grammy Award winner is sharing that experience with you. Whether or not you play an instrument, explore Yo-Yo Ma’s philosophy for embracing music’s emotional power, expand your self-expression and creativity, and develop a deeper appreciation for music’s ability to connect people and culture.

Syllabus

Meet Your Instructor: Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo performs Bach and shares insight that sets the tone for the class. While he once reached for perfection, it did not fulfill him. This realization changed his trajectory; he began focusing on human connection instead of human perfection.

What Is Music For?

Sound is energy. It sparks ideas and memories. This lesson explores the role of music and how it connects to humanity. Yo-Yo shares his philosophy and his belief that your interpretation of music is as unique as your fingerprint.

Finding Connection and Common Purpose

Yo-Yo highlights the importance of three core values in music and ultimately everything we do: seeking truth, building trust, and being of service. This lesson reminds us to bring these intentions and awareness into everything we do.

Developing Creativity

Creatives are the scouts for society. Yo-Yo emphasizes the need to think about the bigger picture to expand yourself as an artist. Learn how to break the boundaries of tradition and blend the old with the new.

Performance: Bach, Suite no. 5, "Sarabande"

Yo-Yo performs J.S. Bach’s Suite no. 5, "Sarabande", from the depth of his own human connection and expression.

Expressing Ourselves to Make an Impact

Yo-Yo dives into the impact of live performance and how to prepare yourself for a performance, whether you are a musician or not.

Case Study: Balancing Structure and Emotion

In a collaboration with two other cellists, Titi Ayangade and Ethan Philbrick, Yo-Yo presents the practices and intentions behind everything he has shared so far. They perform and express their interpretations of Bach’s Suite no. 3, "Sarabande".

Case Study: Activating Conscious and Subconscious Expression

This lesson focuses on Titi’s performance. The collaborators discuss how Titi personalizes the piece with her unique emotional imagination, and how conscious and subconscious communication can be accessed through music.

Making Your Head, Heart, and Hands Work Together

This lesson highlights how our senses are connected to our creative imaginations and their essential role in our ability to express ourselves. Both Titi and Ethan perform “The Swan” and discuss their emotional imagination.

Adding Depth to Collaboration

Yo-Yo, Titi, and Ethan collaborate through performance and create an original piece of music. They discuss the key elements of a successful collaboration and how nonverbal communication guides us through the improvisational process.

Bridging Arts and Sciences

Highlighting the importance of artists and scientists, Yo-Yo uses this lesson to articulate the interconnectedness of art, science, and philosophy.

You Are Powerful

Yo-Yo shares parting advice, reminding us that we are the creators of our narratives. At all times, we have the power of choice: “...the one thing you can always change is your attitude towards life.”