Over the past seven decades or so the growth of interest in gamelan music in the United States has increased incredibly. Gamelan music is considered one of the fastest growing musical genres in America. In the presentation, world-renowned musician, dancer, and teacher, Nyoman Wenten, will discuss the history, current status, and likely future of the Indonesian performing arts in the US.
Suggested donations for the series benefit artists in GSJ’s extended family, going toward distributing care packages to the families of all former GSJ master artists-in-residence. Register at the link below.
About the presenter:
NYOMAN WENTEN is one of Bali’s most accomplished dancers and musicians, and a highly celebrated teacher. Currently, Pak Wenten is on faculty at the Herb Alpert School of Music at California Institute of the Arts, and is adjunct associate professor in ethnomusicology at UCLA and Pomona College. A native of Bali, a small island of the Indonesian archipelago, Pak Wenten is descended from many generations of great artists. He first studied with his late grandfather, who was a master puppeteer, musician, dancer and educator. Pak Wenten deepened his traditional training with formal study at Bali’s Conservatory of Music and Dance, then at the National Academy of Music and Dance in Yogyakarta, Central Java. He also holds an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and a Ph.D in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. His notable teachers include: KPH Notoprojo (Pak Cokro), Romo Sasminto Mardowo, Pangeran Suryobronto, Pak Wayan Berata, Pak Nyoman Rembang, Pak Kakul, Pak Raka Bongkasa.
From 1964-1965, during President Soekarno’s era, he was a member of the Presidential Culture Mission, with which he performed for heads of states and dignitaries in many parts of the world, including: the Republic of China, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, North and South Korea, and the Philippines.
Pak Wenten is known not only for his traditional music and dance but also for his creative East-West compositions and collaborations. He has collaborated with numerous artists in many disciplines, resulting in productions such as: King Oedipus, an adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute premiered at Bali Arts Festival; Hecuba, a mixed media opera with Open Gate Theater; Nusantara with Rhapsody in Tap; Jai Hanuman with great Indian Violinist Dr. Subramaniam; Intimate Immensity with Morton Subotnick; and, most recently, (2018) a music video, Queen of the Hill, with Grammy award-winning singer Judith Hill.
In 2018, Pak Wenten was the subject of the documentary film “Bali: Beats of Paradise,” which highlights Wenten’s 45 year pursuit of bringing gamelan and dance to American audiences. The film premiered at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Samuel Goldwyn Theater, in Beverly Hills. In addition, Pak Wenten is the recipient of numerous awards, including special awards given by two members of the United States House of Representatives, the Honorable Loretta Sanchez and Mr. Ed Royce, in honor of his continued endeavors to serve diverse communities in the USA. Most recently, for his contribution and for his role as an ambassador of the Balinese performing arts across the globe, the Balinese government awarded him the prestigious Kerti Budaya award.
