Performing Artists
Featured on Saturday, June 14
Los Angeles Gamelan Festival 2025
In order of appearance.
Gamelan Burat Wangi
Baleganjur
Valencia, CA
Burat Wangi (meaning fragrant offering) Gamelan is a professional Indonesian music and dance group based out of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA. Founded in 1972 by I Nyoman Wenten (Artistic Director), Nanik Wenten (Dance Director), and renowned Javanese composer K.P.H. Notoprojo, the group has grown to include over 40 active musicians and dancers. Known throughout California for their artistry and precision, Burat Wangi continues to celebrate and share the richness of Indonesian performing arts.
Alunan Angklung
Los Angeles, CA
Alunan Angklung Los Angeles (AALA) is a community group founded in September 2021 with a mission to promote the traditional Indonesian bamboo instrument, angklung, in Southern California. Inspired by the Indonesian Embassy’s initiatives “Angklung Goes to School” and “Angklung Goes to America,” AALA aims to preserve and share the beauty of angklung music. They have performed at major cultural events, including the Indonesian Muslim Society Congress, the Los Angeles Echo Park Music Event, and various programs supported by the Indonesian Consulate and Department of Education and Culture.
Gamelan Sekar Jaya
Jegog
Berkeley, CA
GSJ’s Gamelan Jegog is one of the only ensembles of its kind outside of Bali. Originating from Western Bali, it is an orchestra of bamboo marimbas, with keys (tubes) ranging from small to gigantic. The largest tubes, up to three meters long, are used for the bass jegogan, for which the ensemble is named.
Krama Bali
Gong Kebyar
Los Angeles, CA
Krama Bali Los Angeles (KBLA) is a Balinese-Indonesian community organization based in Southern California that aims to represent Balinese culture and philosophy through art performances, education, and cuisine. Its members include Balinese-descended Indonesian Americans, students, and community members with a passion for Balinese traditions. KBLA actively builds partnerships with other groups to support and uplift the community. Proudly rooted in the diverse Indonesian and international communities of Greater Los Angeles and Southern California, KBLA continues to share and celebrate Balinese heritage across generations.
Gong Gaada
Electronic Gamelan
Los Angeles, CA
Gong Gaada is a Los Angeles-based trio exploring a hybrid form of gamelan with electronics. Utilizing reyong (the arrays of metal gongs used in Balinese gamelan), suling (bamboo flute), and modular synthesizer, the group lays out familiar and creative patterns as a matrix for departure. The analog electronics pick up and process the acoustic drama in real-time, the modular output augmenting their sounds with newfound harmonics and psychedelic flitter. Groove intact, noise rips and punctuates in step with the hypnotic rhythms of their struck metal attack.
Gamelan Giri Parwata
Selonding
Lakewood, CO
Gamelan Giri Parwata (Lakewood, Colorado) performs traditional and contemporary works for gamelan selonding. A subsidiary of Gamelan Tunas Mekar.
Arista Nareswari
Los Angeles, CA
Arista Nareswari is an LA-based dancer who has been immersed in Indonesian traditional dance for over 15 years. Rooted in Javanese classical movement, her work expands into the diverse and vibrant traditions found across the Indonesian archipelago. Through each performance, she brings stories to life — honoring heritage, embracing cultural depth, and sharing the beauty of Indonesian archipelago through graceful expression and powerful presence.
Raja Oedipus
Drama Gong, Burat Wangi
CalArts Valencia, CA
Raja Oedipus (CalArts) is a bold retelling of Oedipus Rex wrapped in the richness of Balinese theatrical tradition. Performed by CalArts student actors and accompanied by live gamelan music from Gamelan Burat Wangi, this production merges Western classical drama with the visual and sonic aesthetics of Bali, creating a unique cross-cultural performance experience.
Gamelan Tunas Mekar
Gong Kebyar & Semarandhana
Denver, CO
Based in Denver, Colorado, Gamelan Tunas Mekar is a community ensemble under the direction of Balinese composer and Artist-in-Residence I Made Lasmawan and family. The group presents traditional and new music for Balinese gamelan at music festivals, schools, private events, local venues, specially produced concerts, and by special invitation both internationally and nationally. Modeled after typical village groups found throughout Bali, and learning by traditional methods, this community ensemble provides American audiences the rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most fascinating cultures.
Photo: Sara Hertwig
Kasuryan Gamelan
Wayang
Los Angeles, CA
Javanese Wayang Kulit/Shadow Puppetry and dance with dalang : Bapak Midiyanto. Accompanied by Kasuryan Gamelan
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Founded in 2025, Kasuryan is a community-based Javanese gamelan and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles. We offer community classes, performances and workshops. Whether you're enjoying a concert or taking a gamelan or dance class, our goal is to share the rich sounds, stories and traditions of Indonesia in an open and relaxed environment.
Rooted in the Javanese word surya (sun) meaning glowing and radiant light, we strive to create music that warms the soul, illuminates the heart, and uplifts the spirit. Our work is guided by the philosophy of hamemayu hayuning bawono: the Javanese ideal of nurturing harmony and beauty in the world. We believe in the power of music and art, and the meaningful ways they heal and connect people, communities, cultures, and our inner selves.
Gamelan Sinar Surya
Degung Sunda Klasik
Santa Barbara, CA
Gamelan Sinar Surya is a Santa Barbara-based group that preserves, teaches, and performs traditional gamelan music. Gamelan is a Southeast Asian orchestra with gongs, chimes, xylophones, flutes, and drums, played in Indonesia and Malaysia for centuries. The name “Sinar Surya,” meaning “The Rays of the Sun,” reflects the warmth and spirit of the music. Led by Richard North since 1972, the group focuses on rare styles from Northwest Java, Sunda, and Malaysia, using two full gamelan sets: the blue 5-tone Prawa and the green 7-tone Pelog.
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, Gamelan Sinar Surya will be unable to join us at LAGF 2025. Follow them so you don't miss their next event!
