Modern Cellists for Kids (Age 11): Easy Info Sheet on Yo-Yo Ma, Sheku Kanneh‑Mason, 2CELLOS, Tina Guo and More

A friendly, easy-to-read information sheet for 11-year-olds about modern-day cellists — who they are, what they play, fun facts, and simple steps to explore their music.

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Modern Cellists — An Information Sheet for an 11-year-old

Cellists play the cello, a musical instrument that sits between your knees and makes deep, warm sounds. Here are some important and interesting modern cellists you might like. For each person you’ll find a short description, a piece to listen to, and a fun fact.

What to do with this sheet (step-by-step)

  1. Read one short profile below.
  2. Find one recommended piece and listen to it (YouTube, Spotify, or a library).
  3. Write one sentence about how the music made you feel.
  4. Try a new cellist the next day — repeat!

Modern Cellists to Know

  • Yo-Yo Ma (yo‑YO mah) — born 1955, USA
    • Why he’s special: One of the most famous cellists ever. He plays classical music and also mixes styles like folk and world music.
    • Listen to: "Bach: Cello Suite No.1" (Prelude).
    • Fun fact: He started playing the cello when he was very young and loves sharing music from many countries.
  • Sheku Kanneh‑Mason (SHEK‑oo KAH‑neh‑mason) — born 1999, UK
    • Why he’s special: A young, prize-winning cellist who played at a royal wedding and inspires many young musicians.
    • Listen to: His recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto (a good short excerpt) or his arrangement of "Hallelujah".
    • Fun fact: He won the BBC Young Musician competition when he was a teenager.
  • Alisa Weilerstein (ah‑LEE‑sah vy‑LER‑steen) — born 1982, USA
    • Why she’s special: Known for powerful performances and for playing new music written today.
    • Listen to: Her recordings of modern cello concertos (check out pieces by Bloch or Prokofiev).
    • Fun fact: She often performs very emotional and dramatic music that tells a story.
  • Gautier Capuçon (goh‑tee‑AY cah‑poo‑Sohn) — born 1981, France
    • Why he’s special: A romantic-sounding player who is loved for beautiful tone and friendly stage presence.
    • Listen to: Dvořák or Saint‑Saëns cello pieces with him.
    • Fun fact: He often plays with big orchestras and famous pianists.
  • Sol Gabetta (SOHL gah‑BET‑ah) — born 1981, Argentina/Switzerland
    • Why she’s special: She is known for lively concerts and a dramatic style on stage.
    • Listen to: Her performances of cello concertos or shorter classical pieces.
    • Fun fact: She sometimes plays with unusual programs mixing old and new music.
  • Steven Isserlis (STEH‑ven ISS‑er‑leez) — born 1958, UK
    • Why he’s special: Famous for expressive playing and for talking to audiences in a friendly way.
    • Listen to: His recordings of Bach and other classical favorites.
    • Fun fact: He writes short, fun books about music for kids and adults.
  • 2CELLOS — Luka Šulić & Stjepan Hauser — Croatia
    • Why they’re special: A duo that made the cello cool for pop and rock fans by playing famous songs (like "Smooth Criminal") with big energy.
    • Listen to: Their version of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" or other covers.
    • Fun fact: They use electric effects and fast bowing to sound like a rock band.
  • Tina Guo (TEE‑nah gwo) — born 1985, USA/China
    • Why she’s special: A cellist who plays film music, video game music, and heavy metal using an electric cello.
    • Listen to: Her soundtrack and metal-style pieces, or her performances from movies and games.
    • Fun fact: She often performs dressed for dramatic effect and uses special effects pedals.
  • Kian Soltani (KEE‑ahn sol‑TAH‑nee) — born 1992, Austria/Iran
    • Why he’s special: A younger classical soloist who won big competitions and is praised for lovely sound and musical ideas.
    • Listen to: His concertos and chamber music recordings.
    • Fun fact: He plays with top orchestras and often appears in music festivals around the world.
  • Pablo Ferrández — born 1991, Spain
    • Why he’s special: A rising star who combines strong technique with musical feelings.
    • Listen to: His recordings of classical concertos and sonatas.
    • Fun fact: He started playing cello when he was young and quickly became known in international contests.

How to explore their music (easy steps)

  1. Pick one name from the list.
  2. Search: "[Name] + [recommended piece]" on YouTube or Spotify (for example: "Sheku Kanneh‑Mason Elgar").
  3. Listen with good speakers or headphones — try to listen twice and notice different things each time: the tune, the loud and quiet parts, and how it makes you feel.
  4. If you like what you hear, look for more videos of that player to see them play (watching can help you learn their style).

Quick practice and music-listening challenge (for you)

  • Listen to one cello recording each day for a week and write one sentence about it.
  • Draw a picture of how the music made you feel after each listening.
  • If you play the cello, try learning a short melody from one of the pieces. If you don’t, try clapping the rhythm.

Where to find safe recordings

  • YouTube (official channels), Spotify, Apple Music, and your local library for CDs.
  • Ask an adult to help you search and pick family-friendly videos.

Enjoy listening! The cello can sound like a human voice, a big hug, or even a thunderstorm — there’s lots to explore. If you want, tell me which cellist you liked best and I’ll give you a short playlist just for you.

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