A gamelan is a set of percussion instruments from Indonesia, usually consisting of bronze metallophones and gongs. Balinese gamelan ensembles traditionally perform outdoors at village temple ceremonies, weddings and funerals, or accompany performances of dance, drama and puppet theatre.

Balinese Angklung is an old type of gamelan traditionally used for ceremonies, processions and cremations. This particular set of instruments is called ‘Adnya Suara Metu’ which translates as ‘the sounds of the deepest feeling float out’ and was previously owned by fellow Gamelan teacher Jo Shaw. Originally commissioned by the Cornish Council, the instruments have the Cornish crest emblazoned on their wooden frames.

For more information about Balinese Gamelan in general please read the following article from Songlines: https://www.songlines.co.uk/features/balinese-gamelan-a-complete-guide-to-a-unique-world-of-sound

Isis Wolf-Light first played Balinese Gamelan at Dartington College aged 8 as part of a children’s group taught by Saj Collyer. Throughout her youth Isis played Gamelan at Dartingon International Summer School and eventually joined the London group ‘Lila Cita’. She obtained a First Class Honours degree in Music and Linguistics from SOAS and in 2015 gained a Scholarship from the Indonesian government to study in Bali. During this time Isis studied many styles of gamelan , performing with virtuosic women’s group ‘Smara Murti’ in competitions and composing pieces of her own. Back in the UK, Isis was gifted a set of Balinese Angklung instruments which she now uses in Bristol to teach workshops and performs with her group ‘Adnya Suara’.