Andrea Markus (Kingston, Jamaica) is a first-year doctoral studies student in the Dance Education Ed.D. Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her MA in Dance Education from New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. She studied dance at Ballet School New York, Ithaca College, Dance New Amsterdam, and The Limon 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 PreK-12 as a teaching artist for Ballet Hispánico, ArtsConnection, Dancewave, New York City Ballet and Alvin Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs. She is currently a faculty member of New York University's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, Marymount Manhattan's Department of Dance, and the Junior Division at the Ailey School.