Dr. Andrea K. Markus, Ed.D., was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She received her doctorate in Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her MA in Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt. She also studied dance at New York Theatre Ballet School, Ithaca College, Dance New Amsterdam, and The Limón Institute. Andrea has traveled to Guinea, West Africa, to study dance and drumming with members of the national companies Les Ballets Africains de Guinea and Ballet Djoliba. She has performed with the Alpha Omega 1-7 Theatrical Dance Company, performing dance works by George Faison, Eleo Pomare, and more. Andrea has also danced and co-directed Magbana Drum & Dance NYC, a West African-based performance group of percussionists and dancers. She has taught dance to students in grades pre-K-12 as a teaching artist for the Misty Copeland Foundation's BE BOLD Program, New York City Ballet Department of Education, ArtsConnection, Dancewave, and Alvin Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. She is currently a faculty member of NYU Steinhardt's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, Northeastern University - NYC's College of Arts, Media, and Design, and CUNY Bronx Community College's Department of Education and Academic Literacy.