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 to 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 encountered Balinese Gamelan at the age of eight, playing in a children’s group taught by Saj Collyer at Dartington College. Throughout her youth, she continued to study Gamelan at the Dartington International Summer School and later joined the London-based ensemble Lila Cita.

She went on to earn a First Class Honours degree in Music and Linguistics from SOAS, University of London, and in 2015 was awarded a scholarship from the Indonesian government to study in Bali. During her time there, Isis explored a wide range of Gamelan styles, performed in competitions with the acclaimed women’s group Smara Murti, and composed original works of her own.

Since returning to the UK, Isis has been gifted two sets of Balinese Angklung instruments, which she now uses to lead workshops and perform with her Bristol-based group Adnya Suara.