Purdue University President Mung Chiang, Purdue Convocations, and the Purdue Presidential Lecture Series are thrilled to present an exclusive FREE event featuring the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma at 2PM on Sunday, September 29, in Elliott Hall of Music. This event, moderated by PBS NewsHour’s Jeffrey Brown, will explore the profound role culture plays in society through personal anecdotes, thoughtful inquiry, and musical interludes.

Yo-Yo Ma’s illustrious career, marked by 19 Grammy Awards and his role as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, underscores his belief in culture’s ability to foster trust and understanding. He has performed for nine U.S. presidents and continues to bridge cultures through music, reinforcing the shared humanity that unites us all.

Due to unprecedented demand, additional FREE tickets for A Conversation with Yo-Yo Ma (ticket link) will be available starting Monday, August 26. Furthermore, Purdue Convocations is pleased to announce that additional seats will also be released on the same day for the rest of the 2024-2025 Purdue Convocations Season events (ticket link). This includes a diverse lineup of Broadway tours, jazz, theatre, chamber music, and cultural experiences aimed at enriching the community and fostering academic engagement.

In alignment with Purdue Convocations’ commitment to enriching educational experiences, the Yo-Yo Ma event, along with all other Convocations events, offer a unique opportunity for curricular connections across disciplines. Students and faculty are encouraged to engage with the themes of culture, society, and the arts, exploring how these elements intersect with academic studies. This program aligns with Convocations’ educational mission, providing resources that integrate performance art with the university’s broader academic objectives. Purdue Faculty may request subsidized tickets for Loeb Playhouse ($20) and Elliott Hall of Music ($25) performances by requesting information on the Curricular Connections website or by contacting convoseducation@purdue.edu. Special thanks to Purdue Convocations endowments and Friends of Convocations for supporting performing arts at Purdue University. Learn more at convocations.purdue.edu/support.

For more information, to view the full season schedule, and to secure your tickets, please visit Purdue Convocations.

Media Contact:
James Britton
Director of Marketing
jamesbritton@purdue.edu

About Purdue Convocations

Purdue Convocations is one of the oldest professional collegiate performing arts presenters in the United States, bringing world-class performances and intellectual engagement to Greater Lafayette and North Central Indiana.

Convos is self-supporting. Ticket sales and gifts from generous individuals, corporations, and foundations power it all. Learn more at convocations.purdue.edu/support.

About Yo-Yo Ma

Born in Paris in 1955 to Chinese parents, Yo-Yo Ma began studying the cello at age four. He has since earned accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Kennedy Center Honors, and continues to perform globally, advocating for the power of culture to connect and uplift communities.

Learn more at yo-yoma.com.