Yo-Yo Ma plays cello at COVID vaccine clinic in Berkshires

The cellist Yo-Yo Ma brought his instrument to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic and turned his time in the observation area into an impromptu concert.

The classical music star received her second dose of the vaccine at Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts on Saturday and treated health professionals and co-vaccine recipients with a cello performance. According to the Berkshire Eagle, Ma lives part-time in the area and told local vaccine administrators he wants to give back to the community.

The community college shared clips from Mom’s short performance, in which the cellist was masked in the school portal. He played the prelude for Bach’s Cello Suite no. 1, received applause and cheers from the socially distanced group of people who had just been shot.

This is not the first time Mom has shared her talents with locals during the pandemic. In September, he and pianist Emanuel Ax rode in the back of a flatbed truck to do pop-up outdoor performances for essential workers.

After Saturday’s clinic, Massachusetts representative Smitty Pignatelli praised Mom for always giving her best to the Berkshires. “He brings hope and optimism through his beautiful music,” he tweeted.

Although the pandemic has stopped concerts in cities worldwide, Ma has remained active. He has performed in tributes to coronavirus victims and shared sources on social media for struggling artists.

Saturday was also one year since he started his #SongsofComfort series, which began with a simple recording shared on Twitter and inspired other musicians to share their work and collaborate, even when they were at home. In December, Ma released an album Songs of comfort and hope.