Cellist Yo-Yo Ma to Stand Down as Artistic Director of Silk Road Ensemble

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is set to step down as Artistic Director of the Silk Road Ensemble - after 20 years at its helm

It has been announced today that cellist Yo-Yo Ma is set to step down as Artistic Director of the Silk Road Ensemble, at the end of the current season - after 20 years at its helm.

The world-renowned musical collective of 59 musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers, was founded by the cello virtuoso in 1998 - with the goal of promoting collaboration among artists and institutions, promoting multicultural artistic exchange and studying the ebb and flow of ideas.

SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE | YO-YO MA | HEART & SOUL (FT. LISA FISCHER & GREGORY PORTER)

“I am thrilled to hand over the artistic direction of Silkroad to Jeffrey Beecher, Nicholas Cords, and Shane Shanshan … three extraordinary colleagues who have taught me so much about collaboration, music and friendship,” Yo-Yo Ma has told The Violin Channel.

“Together with Silkroad’s executive director, Eduardo A. Braniff, these inaugural co-artistic directors will shape the next chapter of Silkroad … bringing the passion and curiosity that we have developed to new communities and inspiring the radical cultural collaboration that is essential to creating a better world,” he has said.

The 62 year old has indicated he will still perform as a musician with the group.