WHO ARE WE?  Providing instruction to the children and youth of Pengosekan has been a primary goal of Sanggar Cudamani.   Rooted in the conviction that gamelan and dance are a powerful means of developing spiritual discipline,  Dewa Putu Berata and a team of sixteen teachers understand the critical social role the arts can play for youth in a rapidly modernizing world. As we celebrate 25 years of teaching in 2022 we find that many of our senior members began studying in Cudamani as young children.  For the past sixteen years Çudamani Summer Institute has extended their educational reach by bringing hundreds of international students to their village Sanggar.

Over the years Dewa Putu Berata and Emiko Susilo have refined their approach to teaching a diverse student body.  Key to the success of the program is the team of Cudamani master teachers and teaching assistants.  Their pedagogy is unique in Bali and supports the beginning student as well as those who have studied Balinese Gamelan and Dance for many years.  This diverse faculty keep the artistic level of every class at a very high level, provide individual instruction, encouragement, and models of excellence. Past CSI participants have included: University music and dance professors as well as students; professional artists eager to extend their creative and performative reach; educators who want to expand their classroom teaching, and young people who have fallen under the spell of Balinese performing arts.

For more than twenty-four years Çudamani has enhanced village life in Pengosekan by teaching hundreds of Balinese children, youth, and adults.   CSI is your opportunity to be a part of the Çudamani and Pengosekan community.  Villagers young and old look forward to seeing CSI students-in-residence because of their earnest desire to study Balinese arts and culture.  As you can imagine the tourist industry can be overwhelming.

2023 ACTIVITIES-July 7-23, 2023

After cancelling our 2020 and 2021 program, an 18 month travel ban to Bali, we resumed out program in the summer of 2022.  With the worst fears of COVID behind us,  our students took full advantage of the early opening of Bali to the outside world.  Everyone was eager to get together over gamelan and dance.  With safety precautions such as vaccines and normal travel conditions, Cudamani is prepared to welcome student  for their 2023 program.

2023 ACTIVITIES-   in addition to 50 + hours of instruction in gamelan and dance, many special events will be planned.  Check in is on July 7th with accommodations in the lovingly appointed Puri Kobot Guest House.  From here you are able to walk to classes without the congestion of Ubud traffic. We begin the program on July 8th and 9th with the CUDAMANI FESTIVAL @ Museum Puri Lukisan.    Virtually all our members from the youngest to the senior group will perform.  A wide and diverse repertoire provide an orientation to the unique range of Cudamani’s artistic reach.     We plan organized tours to key points of interest such as rice fields, lake and Mt.  Batur, Tampaksiring Temple, etc..  Instruction comes into focus as you share what you have learned by performing at a temple ceremoney in Pengosekan.  Under the guidance of Cudamani, your participation in all our activities will be appropriate and respectful, indeed, your presence is appreciated by the local community. The final day on July 23rd brings all our efforts to a close with as we share all the works learned with each other,  gather in a final closing circle, and end the day with farewell party.   Villagers of Pengosekan appreciate your earnest interest and effort as you learn about their traditions.  By the end of the two weeks, you will feel at home in Pengosekan.

The core of the teaching program includes daily gamelan and dance* study.  A hallmark of the Cudamani Summer Institute are the many assistant teachers who are able to offer each student personal support; as a result, even players/dancers new to Balinese performance are able to accomplish an enormous amount in the limited time of the program.  Our senior teachers carefully guide students to a level of complexity that allows each person  to get the attention they need to develop artistically.

Over the years we have taken special pleasure when colleges and Universities bring small groups of students already versed in Balinese performing arts to join the CSI. Special group rates can be arranged for groups of four or more.  The nature of the program easily incorporates musicians and dancers of all levels, including advanced students who wish to refine their skills at the more complicated instruments such as the drum and reyong or dancers wishing to learn more advanced repertoire.

The program is further enhanced by lecture demonstrations by members of Cudamani; invited lectures by guest speakers; and  field trips to cultural sites in our area.  The program concludes with a final performance with CSI students sharing a program with members of Cudamani. After fifteen years of experience Dewa creates a balanced, dynamic and inspiring educational experience that has students returning year after year.

*Note- the dance program will require a minimum enrollment of six students.

It is worth repeating that students are surrounded by a community of artists- ranging from master teachers of international renown, to the senior members, to the young teenage members of Cudamani.    Cudamani Summer Institute is a non-commercial  program as such students feel they are invited into the Cudamani family of artists as well as their village of Pengosekan. International and Indonesian students realize immediately that they are studying in Dewa and Emiko’s own home.  With children running around, women making offerings within sight, or the home cooked meals at lunch, you understand what life is like in a Balinese family. This intimate context provides rewarding cultural and personal insights that go beyond the technique of music and dance.

Adding to the reward of study is the proximity of the home village of Pengosekan to the vibrant tourist center of Ubud.  Hotel accommodation are walking distance to Sanggar Cudamani.  You are in  the midst of a wide range options for shopping, evening meals, and tourist performances.  You will soon realize that Cudamani is near this tourist center but is not of the tourist scene.  However, for those looking forward to the relaxation, shopping, even massages, you will find all available to enjoy after class hours.    Plentiful and wide ranging in price, this is a great option for those on a budget.

GAMELAN PROGRAM– Daily sessions in Cudamani’s open air studio teach you the techniques of Balinese gamelan, expand your repertoire and improve your musicality. Under the Direction of Dewa Putu Berata, senior Cudamani players assist in each session.  This ensures individual attention as well as the robust sound Cudamani is famous for.  The range of pieces studied advances the musicianship and musical understanding of Balinese music.  Students study  on the gorgeous Semarandana instruments. Core to the concept of the program is  working along side master musicians and dancers to develop the Balinese sense ensemble and musicality. In addition, small-group sessions allow advanced musicians to refine skills, try new instruments, and learn repertoire, while beginning musicians have time to learn the fundamentals of gamelan in an environment that is challenging yet supportive and incredibly fun.

DANCE PROGRAM- * If you have always wanted to try Balinese dance, but have told yourself, “I’m not a dancer” then send us an email. We have a great program for beginners, and we welcome you.  On the other hand, if you have some experience with Balinese dance, but need to deepen your understanding and repertoire, then this is an incredible learning environment for you as well. You will be working with the masters of the tradition, honing your dance skills, and expanding your repertoire.  The curriculum includes both male and female technique.  In addition to dancing alongside  great teachers you will also be inspired by the company of Cudamani’s talented young performers. No matter where you are in your study of Balinese dance, the program will challenge and inspire you!

* Minimum enrollment six dance students for the 2023 program- if we have too few, we can incorporate dance sessions as part of  the gamelan program.

SELECTION CRITERIA – We invite individuals who wish to study and live in another culture. Participants must be 18 years or older.  With special permission we  can also include children 12 and above  who wish to learn alongside their parent.  Beginners as well as experienced gamelan musicians and dancers are encouraged to apply.  We have had great success with faculty who wish to deepen their understanding of Bali, bring back material for their research and teaching. In addition undergraduate and graduate students have found the program an ideal way to travel to Bali and have a concentrated first hand experience of the performing arts of Bali.  We can provide letters of acceptance for visa and/or grant applications.

• SCHEDULE- (subject to change)
• July 7           Check in Puri Kobot Guest House.  Early evening reception as part of Cudamani Festival Tech Rehearsal
• July 8            Late Morning-
  • • • Program orientation.  Walk through Pengosekan
      • Afternoon.  rest
• July 8             Cudamani Festival Evening 1
• July 9             Late morning tour of rice fields, temples, and cultural sites
• July 9             Cudamani Festival Evening 2
• July 10           Instruction begins.
• July 14           Day trip Batur, Tampaksiring, and other sacred sites.
• July 15           REST
• July  22           Informal performances of all material, final circle, and party with Cudamani members
• July 23            Check out

We will accept applications after these deadlines if space allows.

Application/fee  $25 Due Extended Deadline April 15, 2023

Early registration/tuition payment secures a private room.  (Limited availability)  May 1, 2023

Tuition Payment in full – June 1, 2023

Tuition with housing :

• double occupancy: $2000  (some rooms share king beds)
• private room: $2,400.  King bed.
• For 2023 we will offer a special youth rate (18-22) double occupancy: $1500.
• youth (11-20 yrs ) participating with parent(s) in same private room $1,100 (this is a rollaway bed).

Tuition without housing:  $1500.

Please know that some years rooms we need to secure additional rooms from our primary lodging.  Therefore, after June 1st rooms will be allocated on a first-come-first serve basis.

COVID Vaccine documentation/test                  Any time before departure

Payment on application form.

As of March 1, 2023 the Indonesian Government does not require a PCR test upon arrival and requires full vaccination 14 days or more before departure.

Participants are responsible for checking on latest COVID requirements when  making own travel and visa arrangements to Indonesia.  Please also consider travel health insurance. A free 30 day  tourist visa is available upon arrival for many countries.  If you plan to stay longer- you can apply for a 60 day visa.  please see web site: https://indonesia.visahq.com/  Remember your Passport must be valid for six months after your departure date from Indonesia.