Qiaojiannan (Gamma) Ma started to play cello at the age of seven in Shenzhen, China. In his early years, he studied with Haichang Huang at the ShenZhen Arts School. His notable performances during his studies at the ShenZhen Arts School include Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major, Haydn Cello Concerto in D Major, Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Saint-Saens Cello Concerto in A minor, among others. Gamma has performed Haydn Cello Concerto in D Major at ShenZhen BaoLi Theater in the summer very successfully before Gamma came to United States. Gamma came to the United States to pursue his studies at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, where he was awarded with merit scholarship to study with Crispin Campbell. He participated in the Interlochen Arts Academy 50th anniversary tour to New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Grand Rapids and Washington D.C. Gamma Ma has served as Principal Cellist in the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra.

 

Gamma is currently studying with Professor Nikola Ruzevic at University of North Texas to pursue his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Currently, he is playing in the UNT Center Trio. He has served as rotated principal cellist of the UNT Symphony Orchestra. Gamma Ma spent his first year of Doctor of Musical Arts at University of Nevada, Reno to study with Dr. Dmitri Atapine. During the time at University of Nevada, Reno, he was the graduate teaching assistant of Dr. Atapine’s cello studio. Also, he was the cellist of the UNR resident nightingale string quartet. 

 

Gamma was awarded with full tuition scholarship to study with Dr. Marek Szpakiewicz at Azusa Pacific University. He pursued his bachelor’s in music degree and master’s in music from Azusa Pacific University in 2017 and 2020. In 2015, he was selected to represent the APU cello studio in the 2nd Collaborative Bach Recital, in which Dr. Szpakiewicz’s studio performed alongside the violin studio of Professor Midori Goto at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. In 2016, as a winner of Concerto competition, he played Dvorak Concerto in B minor with APU Symphony. Gamma has served as Principal Cellist in the APU Symphony.