Music

Born in England, Sabrina Ma grew up in Hong Kong and currently lives in Berlin, Germany. She has been playing the percussion for more than 20 years and enjoys an international career as a vibrant soloist and an engaging chamber player.  She completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Michigan, USA with Highest Honors under the eminent Professor Michael Udow in 2007 and finished her Master of Music degree with the esteemed Professor Isao Nakamura at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe (Germany) in January 2013 with Distinction.  Sabrina’s vast repertoire includes classic works by leading contemporary composers such as Iannis Xenakis, Elliott Carter, Wolfgang Rihm, Yasuo Sueyoshi, Vinko Globokar and Rebecca Saunders. She cooperates intensively with composers and has premiered numerous new works for solo percussion as well as for chamber formations at various major festivals. She also enjoys experimenting with pop music and improvisation and working inter-disciplinarily with other artists. Her frequent participation at renowned festivals and academies ensures that she stays on the cutting edge of contemporary music. Sabrina has won prizes at multiple international competitions, such as the Special Talent Award at the Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium, the Pustjens Prize at the World Marimba Competition in Germany, Third Prize at the 4ème Concours International de Vibraphone Claude Giot in France, First Prize at the International Performers’ Competition for Marimba in the Czech Republic, First Prize at the Classical Marimba League Solo Artist Competition in the USA, First Prize in the Solo Category at the International Competition for Contemporary Music in Poland, the De Annelie Encouragement Prize at TROMP Percussion Competition in Holland. She was selected as semi-finalist at the prestigious and highly competitive Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York. In 2013 Sabrina convinced an exacting jury at the German Music Competition with her outstanding performance to choose her as one of four winners from more than 100 participants. Besides winning an additional scholarship, she became included in the artist roster of the German Federal Selection of Young Artists (BAKJK) and received a record deal with the GENUIN label for 2014.