Gamelan Dharma Swara

Gamelan Dharma Swara, is one of the most respected Balinese gamelan groups outside Indonesia. On the islands of Java and Bali, gamelan is the musical background to every social and cultural gathering, from religious rituals to mainstream radio broadcasts. At the core of gamelan culture is the belief that music is meant to develop and adapt: this central idea animates our mission. We draw from classical gamelan literature and seek to redefine tradition through contemporary interpretation.

Gamelan Dharma Swara has performed at MoMA, (le) Poisson Rouge, Joe's Pub, Asia Society, Japan Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the New Museum, Symphony Space, LaMama. In 2010, the twenty-plus ensemble of musicians and dancers became the first non-Indonesian group to compete against professional Balinese ensembles in the Bali Arts Festival’s annual “battle of the bands.”

Gamelan Dharma Swara performs on the innovative 7-tone gamelan semara dana and the gender wayang, a five-tone ensemble that accompanies Balinese life-cycle ceremonies and shadow theatre. In addition to performances, we also offer workshops, lectures and demonstrations in the New York area.