Çudamani Summer Institute has opened my eyes to Balinese culture in ways I could not have experienced in any other program. The musicians, dancers, and staff are welcoming and kind and teach respect and compassion — cultural aspects I will carry with me back to my home and school in the United States. Learning the music and developing new friendships goes hand-in-hand in gamelan music. CSI has further enhanced my appreciation for this island’s rich art and culture. I’ll carry this experience with me always and appreciate it for the rest of my life.
Good to Know about Bali by Emiko Saraswati Susilo
After twenty-five years of living, working and teaching in Bali, Emiko Saraswati Susilo brings together information that she has shared with countless friends and students. Good to Know about Bali is a guide unlike any other. It includes a…
Week Five: Red Oak, IA
The fifth and final week of World Fest brought Çudamani to Red Oak, IA. The majority of our workshops and demonstrations took place inside the Wilson Performing Arts Center which was a delightful way to end the tour. Thanks to…
Week Four: Charleston, Illinois
The fourth week of World Fest brought Çudamani to Charleston, Illinois. The group was pleased to see the first signs of spring with the sunny weather, tall grasses, and tree buds. Throughout the week, we traveled through surrounding towns in…
Week Three: Saugatuck, Michigan
The third week of World Fest brought Çudamani to Saugatuck, Michigan. Throughout the week, the group visited schools in Saugatuck as well as neighboring communities of Glenn, Zeeland, Holland, and Douglas. Special thanks to the Indiana Arts Commission for the…
Wabash, Indiana: Small Town, Big Hearts
The second week of World Fest brought us to Wabash, Indiana. Throughout the week, we visited schools across Wabash and Blackford counties, participated in the city's annual Foundation for Art and Music Education (FAME) Festival, and performed at the historic…
World Fest Resumes in Elyria, Ohio
Arts Midwest World Fest presents international musical ensembles in intensive week-long residencies in smaller Midwest communities. Its purpose is to foster an understanding of and appreciation for global uniqueness and differences. We are grateful to Arts Midwest and its Senior Program…
Dance Lec-Dem in Wisconsin
Çudamani is grateful to Arts Midwest for bringing a small ensemble to the Midwestern states of America. Over two tours in 2012 and 2013 our group performed Balinese music and dance for thousands of school age children. We were pleased…
A Message from Greg Youtz
Greetings Colleagues, I am forwarding on to you the following email from Judy Mitoma at UCLA who organizes the State-side recruiting of students for the Çudamani Summer Institute in Bali which I attended last summer. It was a phenomenal experience…