Michael Dana
Adjunct Instructor of Percussion
404.983.8104
mdana@lagrange.edu

Michael Dana, a native of North Carolina, is head of percussion studies and director of the LaGrange College Panther Pep Band. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Valdosta State University in 2001 and his Master of Music Performance degree in 2006, where he won Graduate Student of the Year two years in a row. From 2002 to 2004, he served as percussion instructor at Northview High School in Duluth, Georgia. Well versed in all areas of percussion, Michael has performed with the Valdosta, Albany, Columbus, and Savannah Symphony Orchestras as well as three seasons with Jekyll Island Musical Festival. In 1996, 1997, and 2000, Michael was selected to perform with the GMEA All-College Band and served as house drummer for the 2004 and 2005 GMEA Director’s Big Band. He currently performs throughout the southeast with his jazz group, The Michael Dana Group, which has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival- Atlanta, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and Library, and as house band for the Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta. Michael has performed with Ernie Watts, Marvin Stamm, Danny Gottlieb, John Fedchock, Chris Crenshaw, and Kathi Kosins. Michael also performs with the jazz organ trio, Organized Time, and the steel drum band, Panablaze.

Michael also teaches world percussion at Dekalb PATH Academy in Chamblee, GA and works with Brookwood High School’s marching band in Snellville. He also has a private lesson studio at the Atlanta Academy of Music in Suwanee and Doraville, GA.

Michael is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Percussive Arts Society, and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

In his free time, he likes golf, tennis, camping and spending time with his friends and especially his wife, Amanda, and their two cats, Pearl and Olive.