Yo-Yo Ma performs for group of students in Toronto

UNDATED (WHDH) -- His shows sell out around the world. Tickets can cost hundreds of dollars, but Friday, a group of Toronto students was serenaded by cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma for free.

True, they performed for him first -- a combination of interpretive dance, poetry and music. It was a project put together by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Ma seemed impressed.

"I think there's nothing more important than what the kids are doing today. Imagine a classroom that is beyond the four walls of the school, where they go to the place that has the most imagination in the world, which is nature," Ma said.

And not just any nature.

The location is significant. Yo-Yo Ma helped design the music garden in 1999. Over past few months it has also served as inspiration for the kids' performances.

"When we came here we sketched took photos wrote poetry practiced our dances so the garden was pivotal," said Julie Grierson, a teacher.

Judging by the reaction of Yo-Yo Ma, what kids created today was special.

And it looks like the cellist won a few new fans in a generation that might not necessarily be familiar with classical music

"I thought maybe he wouldn't really care but maybe he'd be nice, but he really cared and he was nice which was really great," said Vhaun Beaudry, student.

Proof that nothing generates art like art.