A Journey of Balinese Dance and Music by Gamelan Dharma Swara
Thanks to Rosalina Norita for this contribution
Gamelan Dharma Swara (GDS) is a 31-member ensemble comprising musicians, dancers, and composers who showcase Balinese performing arts infused with an American perspective. Committed to preserving tradition while fostering innovation through new and commissioned pieces, GDS’s repertoire showcases works by some of Bali’s most prominent artists, including I Dewa Ketut Alit and I Gusti Nyoman Darta, as well as collaborations with American composers Vivian Fung, Matthew Welch, and Joel Mellin.
Since the group’s establishment in 1989, it has also held performances at renowned venues such as Lincoln Center and Asia Society, as well as invitations from prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Hall and the World Music Institute.
In 2010, GDS participated in the prestigious gong kebyar competition at the Bali Arts Festival, which included a memorable tour of Bali at that time.
The first appearance at the Bali Arts Festival by a USA-based gamelan group occurred in 1985 when the San Francisco-based gamelan group Gamelan Sekar Jaya traveled to Bali to participate in the annual celebration of Balinese culture, Popular both in the States and abroad, the Gamelan Sekar Jaya has performed all over North America and has toured Bali seven times (1985, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2010, and 2014)
In 2000, Gamelan Sekar Jaya was awarded the Dharma Kusuma Award for Cultural Service by the Balinese government.
A Triumphal Return to Bali
Dharma Swara is currently undertaking a three-week musical tour of Bali, a triumphal return following its successful 2010 appearance at the Bali Art Festival (PKB). The ensemble continues its mission and vision, led by the group’s Artist-in-Residence and Music Director, I Gusti Nyoman Darta, and further fueled by the 2017 acquisition of a set of contemporary Semara Dana instruments.
Dharma Swara will tour Bali from June 25 through July 14, 2026, performing at the Bali World Culture Celebration, facilitating a musical dialogue with other ensembles, showcasing their diverse repertoire, and featuring Balinese gamelan, dance, puppetry, and innovative multimedia elements.
DHARMA SWARA’S BALI TOUR SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 2 at 7:00 pm
MEBARUNG ABDI BUDAYA
Bale Banjar Anyar, Perean Kangin, Tabanan
Saturday, July 4 at 5:00 pm
PESTA KESENIAN BALI (PKB)
Ksirarnawa Building, Art Center Denpasar
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 pm
MEBARUNG CUDAMANI ANAK-ANAK
Pura Mertasari, Banjar Pengosekan Kaja
Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 pm
MEBARUNG SANGGAR DWARA DWANI
Pura Sakti, Tulikup Gianyar
Admission to all performances is free.
The Bali tour program will document and celebrate Dharma Swara’s unique identity as a distinguished New York-based gamelan ensemble. The Bali programs will present commissioned works, including Pagar Ayu, composed by Gusti Komin and choreographed by Shoko Yamamuro; and Nor’easter, a modern reinterpretation of traditional Balinese wayang kulit shadow puppetry, featuring art direction and original music by Joel Mellin in combination with dance choreographed by Ilona Bito and Ndaru Kartikaningsih.
Victoria Lo Mellin, the President and Executive Director of Dharma Swara, commenting on the Bali Tours said: “We are delighted to be joined by the esteemed New York-based Foreshadow Puppetry, who will present a captivating retelling of a timeless Hindu epic through diverse puppetry styles, set to a live gamelan score composed by Joel Mellin”.
Lead photograph by Photograph by Andy Gullion
Related Links
Gamelan Dharma Swara on Facebook
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