Nusantara Arts Performance and Workshops Come to Hudson Valley
February 26, 2026
Hudson Valley Community College will welcome Nusantara Arts to campus for a free public concert on Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre. The performance is a celebration of the rich cultural traditions of Indonesian music and dancing and is the debut performance for the college’s new Global Culture Series — an initiative that will become an annual offering presented by the Cultural Affairs program.
Nusantara Arts is one of just two United States-based organizations to regularly perform both Balinese and Javanese gamelan, giving audience members the rare opportunity to experience the two distinct styles side by side. Audiences of all ages can expect to enjoy traditional gamelan ensembles and compelling choreographed dance rooted in centuries-old cultural practices.
Gamelan is among the oldest continuously played music in the world, according to Nusantara Arts. The music developed and spread throughout thousands of islands in the archipelago of Nusantara (modern-day Indonesia) more than 2,000 years ago and continues to evolve today.
A typical ensemble consists of twelve or more percussion instruments supported by ornately carved wood casings, as well as large gongs, drums and flutes, generating a vibrant and exhilarating sonic experience. There are dozens of distinct gamelan styles throughout Bali, all with their own specific instrumentations, tuning systems and cultural significance.
Nusantara Arts will bring its Balinese Semar Peguligan ensemble – a rarely heard style dating back to the 17th century – to campus for the March 7 performance. The program will consist of both traditional pieces and new compositions using this unique set of instruments.
In addition to the evening concert, Nusantara Arts will be hosting two workshops the day of the performance. World-renowned musician and composer Gusti Komin Darta, guest artist director for Nusantara Arts, will lead an immersive experience at noon where participants will learn the basics of playing gamelan. A Balinese dance workshop, led by Riesa Avanti, will follow at 1:30 p.m., offering participants the opportunity to learn the beautifully elegant and expressive movements woven into the performance.
Registration for the concert is recommended, but not required, and is open to the public. Registration for the workshops is required, as space is limited, and is currently limited to Hudson Valley students, who can register on the Cultural Affairs webpage. Employees and community members are welcome to join the waitlist for the workshop and will be contacted before the event if a space becomes available.
“We are delighted to welcome Nusantara Arts to campus,” Cultural Affairs Coordinator Tom Torrisi said. “This performance is more than a concert — it’s a vibrant celebration of Indonesian culture in all its richness and diversity. Through music, dance, and storytelling, Nusantara Arts offers our community a unique opportunity to experience traditions that span generations and regions. We’re proud to create spaces where global cultures can be shared, appreciated and celebrated together.”
For additional information on Hudson Valley’s Cultural Affairs programming, visit www.hvcc.edu/culture or contact Tom Torrisi at t.torrisi@hvcc.edu or (518) 629-7170.