7-Year-Old Yo-Yo Ma Played for JFK in 1962
A resurfaced video shows conductor Leonard Bernstein introducing a tiny Yo-Yo Ma to two presidents in a moving celebration of immigration and art. The now-famous cellist was just seven when he performed at a 1962 fundraiser that would become a cultural landmark.
When Leonard Bernstein introduced a seven-year-old Chinese immigrant to Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower in 1962, he gave America a glimpse of its own greatness through the eyes of a child holding a cello.
The young musician was Yo-Yo Ma, who along with his 11-year-old sister Yeou-Cheng performed at "An American Pageant of the Arts" to raise funds for what would become the Kennedy Center. A resurfaced video of the event captures Bernstein's introduction, which celebrated how art and immigrants flow together into American life.
"There has come to us this year a young man aged seven, bearing the name Yo-Yo Ma," Bernstein told the audience. He explained how the legendary Pablo Casals had discovered the boy's talent, and how the Ma family had moved from France to New York, hoping to become American citizens.
Bernstein painted a beautiful cultural picture: "A seven-year-old Chinese cellist playing old French music for his new American compatriots." The words still resonate today, reminding us that talent and hope know no borders.
The event itself was historic, bringing together sitting President Kennedy and former President Eisenhower in mutual respect for the arts. After Kennedy's assassination the following year, the cultural center they gathered to support became a living memorial to him.
Why This Inspires
Young Yo-Yo Ma's story shows how America grows stronger when it opens its doors to dreamers. His father taught school in New York while nurturing his children's musical gifts, building a legacy that would touch millions.
Today, Yo-Yo Ma is 70 and still bringing joy through his cello around the world. His sister Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma became a Harvard-trained pediatrician while also leading the Children's Orchestra Society, the nonprofit their father founded that same year they performed for JFK.
In a recent appearance on The Late Show, Ma's warmth and wisdom reminded viewers why he's beloved beyond his musical talent. One fan wrote, "A slight renewal in my faith in humanity which has taken a beating."
From a seven-year-old immigrant with a cello to a global ambassador of hope, Yo-Yo Ma's journey proves that when we welcome talent and nurture dreams, everyone wins.
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Based on reporting by Upworthy
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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