During his eight years at Chinese opera school, Ma threw himself with total energy into mastering the techniques of this demanding art, and he became an instant stage success after his graduation in 1959.
八年的劇校生涯，馬玉琪全副心力投注在鑽研劇藝上。十九歲畢業公演，馬玉琪演出「叫關」、「射戟」，一炮而紅。