Amazing woman and not noticed enough. Thank you.
14
What an extremely moving story, thank you for sharing it with us!
14
I was lucky enough to play with the Children’s Orchestra Society throughout high school as 1st trombonist in the highest orchestra division. I have very fond memories travelling to see my friends at COS once a week, as well as playing at Carnegie Hall under Yeou-Cheng and Michael. Yeou-Cheng is absolutely inspiring with all of the work she’s done, and I am so so happy that she and COS are getting this kind of recognition!
27
Whenever people talk about immigrants and how they "don't contribute" to society I often point to the arts. Without Dr. Ma's father we wouldn't have this orchestra nor a world class cellist and I mean SHE'S A DR on top of it. We honestly do not deserve some of these folks who decided to make America a place for them to pursue their dreams and to aid the children in this country of pursuing theirs.
31
This is a woman whose work, both medical and musical, deserves even more credit and coverage! I hope Yeou-Cheng Ma takes deep joy every day in how much of a difference she has made for so many children and families, through both of these channels. I would love to see an extended interview with her about her life and wisdom.
27
There is sadness in learning how a girl was robbed of her potential to favor her brother. As a historian of women I have seen this done so many times through history! On the other hand, now that we know the full story and her choice of an useful life to benefit children, I feel that she learned how to overcome the injustice done to her. This doesn't remove my sadness, but makes it more palatable. We must continue to struggle to give women the fairest change to express themselves and become what they want. Sexis remains. alive.
29
Every time I hear about a talented woman being pushed to the side (and by her own parents no less!), I feel immensely sad. She touched thousands of lives, but if no gender role had been cast upon her, maybe she would have loved touring the world instead. Why would this be reserved to a man? Parents, please tell your daughters that they can be anything that they want. This is what my own parents told me when I was a child and I am forever grateful to them.
12
It's so sad that Yeou-Cheng had to give up the violin as a child-- the world would only have benefited from another violinist at the caliber of her brother and her prodigy described here. Still, as someone who grew up playing in youth orchestras, I know firsthand that the work she does is incredibly impactful and transformative in the lives of the children involved. So, thank you.
45
@Emily Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's sister Annerl, by all accounts as gifted as her brother, must have felt the same way Dr. Ma does about being forced into the background. Unbelievably cruel of her parents to snatch the violin away from her; but kudos to her for rising above it to bring the joy of making music to children.
29
The flip side of this particular coin is that Dr. Ma, in her life as a medical professional, has given a significantly-better life to the children who have been in her care. Add to that the young people whose lives have been brightened by her work with the orchestra, and that's a tremendous addition to humanity.
Musical fame isn't everything and it's a very tough way to make a living considering that in the world's ears, you're only as good as your last performance.
As a violinist who is a full-time engineering professional, I have a glimmer of understanding of how she felt when she was forced to give up the instrument by her parents. My life would be a pale shadow of what it is now if I hadn't had a musical background.
25
@Emily Agree fully with all your sentiments and as one who also greatly values my time in youth orchestras as a child I share your thanks to Dr. Ma.
With the story of her being forced to abandon the instrument she loved the recent photo of her with a violin is very poignant. I was delighted to read that she plays chamber music for her own enjoyment.
20