Michael Markus is the founder and artistic director of Magbana Drum & Dance nyc. Along with a BFA in percussion performance from Ithaca College, he has mentored with accomplished Guinean master drummers and dancers and travels yearly to Guinea. He has presented at a multitude of venues ranging from college music and dance departments, to music/dance conferences, public and private schools, to inner city community centers all across the East Coast, Mid-west and Canada. In 2001, Michael released a series of 11 educational percussion CDs demonstrating the rhythms from Guinea. In addition to playing on several CDS from various master drummers, in 2004 Michael co-produced and released a CD of his group Magbana. He has also created commissioned pieces, composing and directing choreography for such groups as Ethos Percussion, which debuted his work at the Symphony Space in New York City. Recently, Michael was a guest performer with Forces of Nature at the Apollo Theater for part of their annual Kwaanza celebration. Michael is also co-owner of Wula Drum which manufactures instruments from Guinea and distributes worldwide through their office in Brooklyn, New York.