About Us
Michael Tenzer is a composer, author, performer and teacher. Professor of music at UBC, he has authored two books on gamelan (see links page for more info). His compositions have been commissioned and performed worldwide by ensembles ranging from the American Composers Orchestra to Gamelan Çudamani in Bali, Indonesia.
Our Musical Directors
Our Dance Director
Ni Putu Widiantini is a graduate of the ISI Balinese Arts Institute in dance. She is widely known for her dynamic portrayals of Balinese female dances. She has been performing and teaching in Vancouver since 2005.
I Wayan Sudirana is a graduate of the ISI Balinese Arts Institute and a member of Gamelan Çudamani. He is one of Bali’s most gifted young musicians, has composed and taught actively all over the island of Bali and toured abroad frequently. He has been co-director of Gita Asmara since 2004.
Gamelan Gita Asmara was formed by Michael Tenzer in 2001. Originally an ensemble in the UBC Ethnomusicology department, the group was comprised of both students and graduates. In 2005 a core group of dedicated players split from the class group. By doing so the group could be freed from the academic schedule and the delicate dance that was concert season and exams all at the same time. In 2006 Gamelan Gita Asmara became a Registered Non-Profit Society.
Our group has been blessed to have worked with some of the best musicians, composers, and dancers in Bali. We learn our pieces in the traditional way, by rote, without music and we perform in traditional Balinese dress.
We perform both traditional and modern pieces and five of our members have composed for the group. Many of the members have travelled to Bali for study and performance opportunities as well.
Our goal is to present the music and dance of Bali as faithfully and lovingly as we can. Gita Asmara means “Song of Love”.
