African Experience is a group form the upstate new york area here are the members: 

Wayne has been playing and studying the djembe for 12 years.  During that time he has had the fortunate opportunity to study with some of the greatest djembe players of their time, Babatune Olatunji, M’bemba Bangoura and Michael Markus to name a few.  His love for the djembe continues to grow, the more he learns about the people and the culture of Africa. 

Since co/founding African Experience the group has brought the sounds of Africa to the greater capital area.  He hopes to continue to perform and teach traditional songs of Africa and original composit

ions in the coming years.

Adam Witt

Adam Witt studied extensively with Lacelot Scott from Tobago and Mamady Keita from Guinea.  He has fifteen years experience, playing for dance classes, performing and teaching privately.  His love for the drum has inspired a passion for collecting rhythms worldwide, and creating his own original works.

Marjanii McCline’s long time interests in African drumming and dance comes from her exposure to various shows in the area.  She has taken lessons from some of the best dancers in the world, Yalani Bangoura and Youssouf Koumbassa of Guinea, West Africa.  In addition to traditionally trained African dancers, Marjanni has also taken lessons from New York teachers, including Karen Martino of Rochester and Michael Markus of New York City.

The drum is also an area of interest for Marjanii, for three years she has taken lessons from New York residents, Barry Irving, Wayne White and Michael Markus.

In 2002 I met Michael Markus with Wayne White and we began taking lessons from him and other members of Magbana Drum and Dance.  Since the creation of African Experience my devotion to the djembe has never been stronger and I hope to embrace it for years to come. 

David Wein

I began my drumming career in 1999 in Johnsonville, NY with a group of friends learning how to play the Latin conga.  I quickly became interested in African percussion, because of the different sounds.  My grasp of musical notation was quickly realized and thus I began taking lessons on a more professional basis. 

            In 2001 I began taking lessons from Barry Irving in Albany, NY, where I subsequently purchased my first djembe.  These lessons with Barry continued for the next year and half.  In Barry’s classes I met another student Wayne White, who began instructing me on the side. 

            Together with Wayne and other friends we began taking lessons from members of Magbana Drum and Dance.  In 2004 African Experience was formed and my appreciation and dedication for the West African music has flourished. 

I began my drumming career in 1990 while traveling the country and participating in drum circles at the Grateful Dead concerts.  The djembe became a way to express myself through music and has fostered a love for West African music. 

In 1997 I had the opportunity to take a workshop with Arthur Hall, from Chicago, IL.  In 1998 I took lessons from Nii Ieatiea who is from Ghana, West Africa.  These lessons were an inspiration for me to seek the traditional ways of the djembe.  In that same year, I discovered Barry Irving in Albany, NY.  I continued to take lessons from Barry for six years.