Moscow-born Mikhail Dunayev (percussion) completed his studies in percussion with Mark I. Pekarsky at the State Ippolitov Ivanov Music Institute in 1983. In 1990 he completed his studies at the State Moscow Conservatory with Valentin M. Snegirev. In 1988 he was awarded first prize in the Third All-Union Competition for Percussionists. From 1989 to present he has been a member of the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra.