A versatile clarinetist and champion of music from the past, present, and future, Dr. Ma has developed a reputation as a virtuosic and prolific soloist, chamber musician and orchestra player both in the United States and China. Ma has received numerous awards from competitions including first prize in Northern Illinois University and Yale Chamber Music Competitions. She is also the recipient of various scholarships.

As an active soloist, Dr. Ma has appeared in concerts at festivals and societies, including the Stony Brook University Staller Center, the Yale Center for British Art, the International Ensemble Modern Academy-the Klangspuren Festival in Austria, Merkin Hall in New York, and Clarinet Festival at Griffith University in Australia the international Clarinet Festival in Beijing and Chongqing. She has collaborated with distinguished artists and ensembles such as David Shifrin, Andreas Ottensamer, members of the Emerson Quartet and the Tokyo Quartet.