Mr. Ma began to study the cello with his father at age four and soon immigrated with his family to New York, where he spent most of his formative years. His multi-faceted career is a testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Mr. Ma’s discography of over 100 albums includes 18 Grammy Award winners and reflects his wide-ranging interests. He is also strongly committed to educational programs that not only bring young audiences into contact with music but also allow them to participate in its creation. Mr. Ma is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Avery Fisher Prize, National Medal of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honor Award. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from AUB in 2004.