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  • March 2018 (Revised October 2019)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad

By: Rohit Deshpandé, Paul A. Gompers and Scott Duke Kominers
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:28
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Abstract

Silkroad—a cross-cultural music collaboration that world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma had spearheaded since 1998, was preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary. In parallel, Ma was stepping back from his role as the organization’s Artistic Director. Silkroad had come of age, gaining international recognition for its uniquely global music, which blended musical traditions from across the world—especially Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and America. The Ensemble had also forged strong partnerships with universities, local governments, and civic groups and developed an array of outreach programs to help people understand and express themselves through music. Ma was confident that there could be no better time to hand over leadership. But the transition was bittersweet: He felt a deep personal connection both to the Ensemble as a whole and to every one of its performers and staff members. And he wondered how reducing his involvement would affect the organization’s sustainability.

Keywords

Managing Diverse Teams; Leadership Transitions; Global Innovation; Music; Cultural Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Music Entertainment; Leadership; Transition

Citation

Deshpandé, Rohit, Paul A. Gompers, and Scott Duke Kominers. "Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad." Harvard Business School Case 818-110, March 2018. (Revised October 2019.)
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About The Authors

Rohit Deshpande

General Management
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Paul A. Gompers

Entrepreneurial Management
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Scott Duke Kominers

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • March 2018 (Revised October 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad

    By: Rohit Deshpandé, Paul A. Gompers and Scott Duke Kominers
Related Work
  • Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad By: Rohit Deshpandé, Paul A. Gompers and Scott Duke Kominers
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