Ma Li

Celebrated percussionist and National Class One Musician Ma served as Section Principal and Principal of the Percussion Section of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra. He holds prominent leadership roles, including Vice President of the China Nationalities Orchestra Society Percussion Committee, Vice President of the Guangdong Peking Opera Art Association, Senior Examiner of the National Art Test and Estimation Committee, and Distinguished Expert Adjudicator at the Central Conservatory of Music.

Ma began his career with the Anging Peking Opera Troupe in 1977, later studying under master Zhang Xinhai at the Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre.After serving as a percussionist in the military's "Victory" Peking Opera Troupe from 1986, he graduated from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in 1991, specializing in Peking Opera Percussion. That same year, he officially joined the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra.

As an accomplished soloist, Ma arranged and performed Thumping, Thinking, which won First Prize at the National Television Music Showcase. He also secured two Gold Awards for Best Technique and Best Performance at the Marlboro Cup National Gong and Drum Competition. His artistic milestones include releasing the VCD "Eight Big Hammers" Percussion Concert and being personally invited by the San Francisco Opera to perform in the world premiere of The Bonesetter's Daughter.

Ma's international footprint spans over forty countries across five continents, including five years performing at Vienna's Golden Hall. A regular adjudicator for the CCTV All China Instrumental Competition and global contests, he has also performed with the Macao Chinese Orchestra's return celebration concerts for over a decade. Furthermore, he has led influential masterclasses on folk gongs, drums, and Xinjiang hand drum techniques in Malaysia and Singapore.