Michael Kang is an original founder and multi-instrumentalist in The String Cheese Incident, a Colorado based band that has been touring worldwide since their inception in 1992. Originally hailing from South Korea, Michael moved to the Bay Area as a teenager and quickly became immersed in the rich musical history of the region. While attending UC Berkeley, he started dabbling in improvisational music, drawing inspiration from bands like the Grateful Dead and Santana. Having grown up playing classical violin, he eventually transferred his abilities to what would become his primary instrument of choice, the electric mandolin.

As an avid outdoorsman, Michael eventually found himself drawn to the Rocky Mountains and the town of Crested Butte, where he met the original members of The String Cheese Incident. The legendary El Nino winter of 1992 provided the backdrop of the “ski by day/music by night” lifestyle that would eventually lead to a debut performance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. 34 years and thousands of shows later, The String Cheese Incident has become one of the most unique improvisational rock bands supported by a legion of dedicated fans across the country and beyond. Michael is specifically known as a pioneer of the 5 string octave mandolin that has become the mainstay of his signature sound.

Having also been educated as an Environmental Scientist, Michael also holds positions with various tech startups, clean tech companies and non-profits including Volta Insite, AirCapture, Algae Systems and MAPS. Santa Cruz has been Michael and his family’s home since 2008 and the perfect place to raise kids and live a balanced lifestyle. Beyond his interests in music and technology, Michael can be found surfing, mountain biking, skiing and golfing whenever his schedule permits.