Nanik Wenten

Nanik Wenten is a distinguished Javanese dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where she instructs in the School of Music. Born in Yogyakarta, Java, into a lineage of esteemed musicians and dancers, she received rigorous training in Javanese dance at the Pakualaman court and Kepatihan (Yogyakarta’s prime minister’s residence), alongside mastering Balinese dance traditions. Her career bridges Indonesian cultural heritage with Western dance forms, creating innovative fusions of ballet, modern dance, and contemporary styles.

• Training: National Dance Academy (Yogyakarta), Master’s in Dance from CalArts
• Collaborations: Worked with artists like Morton Subotnick, Ed Emshwiller, Larry Reed, and Marion Scott
• Global Impact: Delivered lectures, workshops, and performances across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America