What we’re about
Nusantara Arts celebrates the rich, vibrant cultural heritage of Indonesia in Western New York and beyond. We offer classes for Javanese and Balinese Gamelan music as well as Balinese dance in Buffalo!
Grounded by values of inclusivity, refinement, cooperation, community, experience, and preservation, Nusantara Arts embraces the spirit of Indonesian gamelan music and dance and invites all to join—whether as a listener and audience member or by learning the art and participating as a performer.
Upcoming events
16
Intro to Javanese Gamelan - 6 week Free Music Class
Nusantara Arts, 490 Lafayette Ave, Buffalo, NY, USoin our FREE beginner Javanese gamelan class!
Six weeks of fun community oriented gamelan music classes. We will discuss and practice basic Javanese gamelan skills, theories and methods in an inclusive and fun environment. Sessions are led in a Javanese community oriented style and will focus on players learning several instrument types.
Class Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Basic introduction to gamelan instruments, form and function.
- Cultural contexts of gamelan music genres and related art forms like wayang and dance.
- How to hold mallets properly and play several gamelan instruments.
- How to listen to gamelan music as a player and listener.
- Structure of a gamelan music piece.
- How do devise elaborating parts on Peking and Bonang instruments.
Schedule:
Wednesday from 7-9pmFirst Class - October 15th
Last Class - November 19th
For participants age 12 and higher. No experience required.Example of Javanese Gamelan Music - Youtube Link
Teacher: Matt Dunning
Matt Dunning currently Serves as Executive Director of Nusantara Arts. Matt founded the original Buffalo Gamelan Club in 2015 with a set of instruments shipped across the world from Java and a dream to bring the enchanting music of Indonesia to his hometown. Matt started playing gamelan music in 2006 while living in Chicago, and developed a deep understanding of Javanese performance and cultural practices while living on Java from 2011-2013 as the recipient of two Indonesian Government “Darmasiswa” artistic residency scholarships.
Matt has been fortunate to study with some of the best gamelan musicians including Darsono Hadiraharjo, Heri Purwanto, Wawan Sosodoro, Putu Septa, and Gusti Komin. As founder of Nusantara Arts, his personal goal is to bring the beautiful music and culture of Indonesia to a broader audience while being faithful to the living traditions of Indonesian art.
Our Instruments: Bronze Javanese Slendro/Pelog. Our set of bronze Javanese gamelan was purchased in 2020, replacing our iron set for in house classes and performances. It is a beautiful double set of instruments with complete gongs, and kenong. Complete Javanese gamelan sets have two distinct tuning systems that are played independently of each other. The set features various melodic and punctuating instruments that take the shape of bronze gongs or bars. The Javanese gamelan orchestra also features hand drums, bowed and plucked string instruments, flutes, and a wooden xylophon1 attendee
Intro to Balinese Dance - Free 6 week class!
Nusantara Arts, 490 Lafayette Ave, Buffalo, NY, USJoin our FREE Intro to Balinese Dance class!
Join our fun community oriented dance classes and get moving! We will demonstrate and practice basic Balinese dance skills and methods in an inclusive and fun environment. Balinese dance is beautiful movement art that uses the whole body and is incredibly expressive.
This class will teach fundamental movements and positions as well as learning choreography for two Balinese dance songs.Schedule:
Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30pm
October 16th - November 20th
For all ages. No experience necessary.Balinese dance - the newest coolest dance thing you can do. Balinese dance is pretty famous all over the world and it's accessible to learn Riesa is an awesome teacher. you tube example: https://youtu.be/1vUz6KSW72k?si=ZT2XdY170Gh348Gt&t=22
Teacher: Riesa Avanti
Riesa is a Nusantara Arts Board member and Indonesian woman from Jakarta who has been living in Buffalo for over 20 years. She grew up dancing and began studying Balinese Dance years ago. She is now giving back to the community and spreading her knowledge here in Buffalo.
1 attendeeIntro to Javanese Gamelan - 6 week Free Music Class
Nusantara Arts, 490 Lafayette Ave, Buffalo, NY, USoin our FREE beginner Javanese gamelan class!
Six weeks of fun community oriented gamelan music classes. We will discuss and practice basic Javanese gamelan skills, theories and methods in an inclusive and fun environment. Sessions are led in a Javanese community oriented style and will focus on players learning several instrument types.
Class Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Basic introduction to gamelan instruments, form and function.
- Cultural contexts of gamelan music genres and related art forms like wayang and dance.
- How to hold mallets properly and play several gamelan instruments.
- How to listen to gamelan music as a player and listener.
- Structure of a gamelan music piece.
- How do devise elaborating parts on Peking and Bonang instruments.
Schedule:
Wednesday from 7-9pmFirst Class - October 15th
Last Class - November 19th
For participants age 12 and higher. No experience required.Example of Javanese Gamelan Music - Youtube Link
Teacher: Matt Dunning
Matt Dunning currently Serves as Executive Director of Nusantara Arts. Matt founded the original Buffalo Gamelan Club in 2015 with a set of instruments shipped across the world from Java and a dream to bring the enchanting music of Indonesia to his hometown. Matt started playing gamelan music in 2006 while living in Chicago, and developed a deep understanding of Javanese performance and cultural practices while living on Java from 2011-2013 as the recipient of two Indonesian Government “Darmasiswa” artistic residency scholarships.
Matt has been fortunate to study with some of the best gamelan musicians including Darsono Hadiraharjo, Heri Purwanto, Wawan Sosodoro, Putu Septa, and Gusti Komin. As founder of Nusantara Arts, his personal goal is to bring the beautiful music and culture of Indonesia to a broader audience while being faithful to the living traditions of Indonesian art.
Our Instruments: Bronze Javanese Slendro/Pelog. Our set of bronze Javanese gamelan was purchased in 2020, replacing our iron set for in house classes and performances. It is a beautiful double set of instruments with complete gongs, and kenong. Complete Javanese gamelan sets have two distinct tuning systems that are played independently of each other. The set features various melodic and punctuating instruments that take the shape of bronze gongs or bars. The Javanese gamelan orchestra also features hand drums, bowed and plucked string instruments, flutes, and a wooden xylophon1 attendee
