Bob Macko

Composer, and musician, Bob currently plays and practices Guitar (acoustic / electric ), Bass, Piano, Hand Percussion, Flute, Harmonica, Violin, Viola, Didgerido, and Vietnamese Ocean Harp, with a main focus and proficiency on guitar.

His musical influences are broad, ranging from Western Rock, Progressive, Experimental, Jazz, Classical, and also many cultural influences including Japanese, Australian, Spanish, Middle Eastern and Egyptian music.

Aside from creating music for MahaRa, Bob has also composed, produced, and released several meditation and relaxation cd's as apart of his solo project.

Bob is also apart of the Chicago Electronic / Industrial band Cobalt Core, an upincomming electric project that has been described as a sonic blend between Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails.

Bob's musical pursuits and endeavors have led him to create the 1999 media company Lux-Productions, and later to co-founded an artists cooperative called Strength Productions.

Sven Oscar Hansen

Sven Oscar Hansen has been a passionate player of percussion for over 2 decades. Indian tabla and Middle Eastern instruments are his favorite styles of hand drumming.

Bringing these cultural influences and modes of playing into western music, now so heavily influenced by electronic media is his goal. "drumming is pure joy" says Sven, "this music flows through our fingers from a source greater than ourselves. This is the deep gratitude we feel as we make these melodies and rhythms."

Sven has performed with many solo artists, guitarists, singer- songwriters, spoken word poets, and bands in the midwest. He appears on several of their albums. Sven has had the great fortune to study percussion with Indian tabla gurus Ananda Shidaye, Zakir Hussain and Rama Kant.