Joko Sutrisno
As a boy in Central Java, Indonesia, I heard and participated in gamelan, an ancient but vital tradition of Indonesian music. It reflects the complex rhythms of life that becomes as a second language to all who know and perform it. I was professionally trained at the National Academy of Performing Arts (ASKI) in Surakarta, Java. My family and I came to Minnesota in 1995 to develop a gamelan program. Currently, I am Artistic Director for the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of MN (IPAAM), which includes adult and youth gamelan, dance groups, and classes at several levels for community members.
Joko . . . provides an awesome opportunity for the students. His ability to interweave cultural traditions with the music and dance of Indonesia easily captivates the students. He was able to give the children a sense of pride and make them feel totally successful in the final production. Many parents attending commented that this was one of the best performances they had attended at our school.
Jan Erickson, Teacher, Afton-Lakeland Elementary School
