Michael Bettine

Since 2002, he has worked under the name, GONGTOPIA, presenting both concerts of original music and Gong Meditation Sessions. He is also an active member of the improvising music community, working with a wide variety of other like-minded musicians. Michael is one half of the GONGTOPIA TAIRAKU duo, with shakuhachi player, Brian Tairaku Ritchie (of Violent Femmes). About their self titled album, Spinecone Records said, “These two masters of their craft create music that is serene and meditative, yet retains a sense of exploration and adventure.” Michael was a contributing writer to MODERN DRUMMER magazine for twenty-five years and has written over 200 articles for such magazines as DownBeat, AVANT, RHYTHM, and many others. Among his 10 books are, WHEN IN DOUBT, ROLL! (with Bill Bruford), PERCUSSION PROFILES (with Trevor Taylor), and THE THINKING DRUMMER series of instruction books. He currently writes three different music blogs: The Way of the Gong™, Percussion Deconstruction™, and Art as a Spiritual Practice. He has also presented workshops on Gongs at the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2005 & 2012; was the Artist in Residence at the 2016 MONA FOMA Festival in Hobart, Australia; and was one of 5 international teachers presenting master classes at the GONG SUMMIT - Gong Culture & Craft retreat in July 2019.