Gamelan Merdu Kumala

Music Tech Café

Now accepting new students! Send us a DM for more details! Gamelan Merdu Kumala is;

1.

We offer two levels of classes: a Beginning class to introduce techniques and concepts of Balinese gamelan, and an Intermediate class for a deeper understanding of ensemble performance. Gamelan Merdu Kumala is an American gamelan, a community, and a grassroots organization based in Tujunga California. Founded in 2014 by the artistic director, Hirotaka Inuzuka, this independent ensemble provides cl

asses, workshops, and performances in order to bring musical fulfillment to individuals and transfigure that energy outward to communities to create a greater shared experience and unity. a pursuit of higher artistry and a path to find spiritual oneness with the music and individual expression,
2. a community cultivating a safe environment for learning and group expression, and
3. a bridge between its musical activities and surrounding environment, creating sounds that are authentic to Southern California.

1) The foundation of Gamelan Merdu Kumala is to be individually bound to and content with the music we learn and perform. Our effort of learning, creating, and performing at a high level will bring greater meaning and passion to our sound. Gamelan Merdu Kumala pursues technical proficiency and develops musical feeling that’s genuine to us, which enables us to produce music that is beautiful yet thrilling.

2) Most opportunities for learning gamelan are still limited to higher education, and many youth, especially those who are underprivileged, have no chance of learning about this beautiful art form. Gamelan Merdu Kumala’s future program will include reaching out to those children and adults providing a safe environment for learning about the tradition of Balinese gamelan. This is one possible way to diversify representations of Asian cultures and combat systemic biases against them.

3) Seeds of gamelan had been planted in the United States by Balinese master teachers over the past centuries and gamelan programs have been flourishing throughout the country. As gamelan becomes part of our American identity at individual levels, it also feels natural that some gamelan grows indigenously by adopting local culture and its social functions. Some of the songs we learned from Balinese teachers are meant to be played at a certain place, time, and situation, especially in the Balinese-Hindu ceremonies. In the United States, the right context for those repertoires are rare and most gamelan music here is performed as concert music. While remaining true to the Balinese tradition of music making, Gamelan Merdu Kumala aims to create music that fits and accompanies our life in Southern California which includes the process for finding and building ourselves a new identity as American art.

01/21/2026

🌙 🌙 We are excited to celebrate the Lunar New Year at the McGroarty Art Center with some Balinese Gamelan music! 🐎 🐎 Come join us this Sunday from 1-4p in Tujunga! Admission is FREE!

01/18/2026

On Saturdays we do Slot Car Racing and Gong Kebyar Slaying.

09/09/2025

Gotong-royong: indigenous institution of communality; the sharing of burdens; mutual assistance in community development. These are different ways of describing the beautiful day of cleaning our banjar, restringing our gangsa instruments, and vibrating together. Strengthening our bamboo resonators will help our sound, as our devotion to our instruments and their longevity will sustain and bolster our community. Besides- I think we did more sharing of food than burdens 😉

08/15/2025

Have you always dreamed of playing Balinese music while living in LA? Have you been missing Gamelan classes during your summer travels? Do you want to learn what gamelan is? No matter your situation, we are starting Fall session soon! Sign up while there’s still space!

07/26/2025

This is our current intermediate class. Join us next season for our beginning and intermediate classes! Sign up for the fall season will open on August 1st. There will be a Halloween House Concert to showcase our progress in October!

05/12/2025

RSVP at [email protected]

05/12/2025

📣Memorial Day Weekend Spring Concert📣 Seats are limited to get your springtime gamelan fix- featuring a traditional welcome dance Pendet as well as the rare ancient bamboo flute melodies written by teacher Hirotaka Inuzuka 🪈 🪘 ✨

02/28/2025

**Now Accepting New Students!**

We are excited to offer two levels of classes in Balinese gamelan:

**Beginning Class:** This class introduces the techniques and concepts of Balinese gamelan.
**Intermediate Class:** This class provides a deeper understanding of ensemble performance.

Both classes are taught by Matthew Clough-Hunter( ), a long-time member of GMK and Co-Director of the ensemble. There will be a concert showcasing the students’ work in early May 2025.

**Class Schedule:**
**Beginning Class:** Sundays from 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM
**Intermediate Class:** Sundays from 2:45 PM to 4:00 PM

**Fees:** $50 per month

For more details, please send us a direct message!

12/15/2024

end of the year concert with ‘s .band , at !

great way wrap up a great year playing together. we’re all excited for what’s to come & grateful for all our supporters!

08/17/2024

This September, experience a new bridge between Japan and Indonesia’s rich musical traditions…

L.A.-based TAIKOPROJECT, the first American group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest, is partnering up with Gamelan Merdu Kumala for two performances at Sierra Madre Playhouse! Best of all tickets are just $12-35. Get yours now!

Music @ The Playhouse: TAIKOPROJECT + Gamelan Merdu Kumala
Saturday Sept 21 @ 4PM & 7:30PM
Tickets at sierramadreplayhouse.org/music

TaikoProject Gamelan Merdu Kumala

05/20/2024

Several seats left for this Sunday’s Annual Showcase, a popular concert series at our home base “Blue Dragon.”

Reserve your seats by email to [email protected]

05/18/2024

Family friendly event tomorrow at Linda Vista Branch. Come join us at 4pm for a performance and a workshop!

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Location

Los Angeles

Contact the school

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Website

http://merdukumala.wix.com/merdukumala

Address

Haines Canyon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
91042

Opening Hours

Tuesday	6:30pm - 8:30pm
Sunday	1:30pm - 6pm