Yo-Yo Ma is one of the most well-known professional cellists in the world, but many may not know that his fame began in his early childhood. When he was only seven years old, he was invited along with his 11-year-old sister to play live for sitting President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower at "An American Pageant of the Arts" in 1962. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the National Cultural Center, which was started under Eisenhower's administration and encouraged under Kennedy's presidency. But what stands out in a resurfaced video of the event is the beautiful way composer Leonard Bernstein introduced the Mas. - YouTube www.youtube.com Bernstein referenced the way art flowed in and out of America and how art has "long been the attraction of our country to foreign artists and scientists and thinkers, who have come not only to visit us but often to join us as Americans to become citizens of what to some has historically been the land of opportunity, and to others, the land of freedom.""And in this great tradition," he continued, "there has come to us this year a young man aged seven, bearing the name Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo came to our attention through the great master, Pablo Casals, who had recently heard the boy play the cello. Yo-Yo is, as you may have guessed, Chinese, and has lived up to now in France, a highly international type. But he and his family are now here. His father is teaching school in New York. And his 11-year-old sister, Yeou-Cheng Ma, is pursuing her musical studies, and they are all hoping to become American citizens." — (@) After announcing that the duo would be playing the first movement of "Concertino No. 3 in A major" by Jean-Baptiste Breval, who composed for the cello 150 years ago in France, Bernstein added:"Now here is a cultural image for you to ponder as you listen: a 7-year-old Chinese cellist playing old French music for his new American compatriots."What a beautiful celebration of immigration and art, and all the more moving that they performed for two presidents who showed nothing but respect for one another in a cultural arts center that would become a "living memorial" to President Kennedy after his assassination. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1988Jose Galvez, Los Angeles Times/Wikimedia Commons Now Yo-Yo Ma is 70 years old and still inspiring audiences around the world with his cello playing. His sister, Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma, has also continued her musical legacy in addition to becoming a Harvard University-trained pediatrician. Dr. Ma heads up the Children’s Orchestra Society (COS), a non-profit music program for children in New York City, started by her father the same year the Mas performed for JFK. Yo-Yo Ma was recently a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and his interview showcased the joy and compassion for which he is known in addition to his musical talents. - YouTube www.youtube.com People loved seeing Ma's reflections on the world and his words gave a dose of hope:"A slight renewal in my faith in humanity which has taken a beating. I love this man.""Yo Yo is a humanitarian, animal lover and planet saver. Great soul!""Saw him first on Mr Rogers. He was as delightful then as he is now. A beautiful human.""Given the state of the current world, I’m reminded of this quote: “There are times that Yo Yo Ma has shown up, performed, and healed nations.” We can do it! Hope - out of the dark time!"Watch 70-year-old Yo-Yo Ma play Bach Prelude from the 1st Cello Suite and "Over the Rainbow": - YouTube www.youtube.com