I Nyoman Wenten

I Nyoman Wenten is a Lecturer in Music and Director of the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble at Pomona College since 1999. A celebrated dancer and musician from Bali, he specializes in traditional Balinese and Javanese music/dance while pioneering East-West artistic fusions.

• Primary affiliation: Pomona College (since 1999)
• Additional teaching: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts)

Research & Expertise:

• Preservation and innovation of Balinese/Javanese traditional arts
• Cross-cultural collaborations with American avant-garde artists
• Composition of new gamelan works integrating Western elements
• Music production and recording (15+ years with CMP Records)

Education:

• Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, University of California, Los Angeles
• M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts
• Formal training at National Academy of Music and Dance, Yogyakarta, Java
• Formal training at Bali’s Conservatory of Music and Dance, Denpasar

Scientific Awards:

• Lester Horton Award (1999) for intercultural collaboration

Global Impact: Has performed and taught across the United States, China, Philippines, Japan, Mexico, and Europe. Created large-scale productions like the Balinese Ramayana (2009) and gamelan adaptations of Western classics.