Enculturation and Cross-Cultural Experiences in Teaching Indonesian Gamelan

A first-person memoir traces a life shaped by Javanese gamelan—from early exposure in Yogyakarta and wartime upheaval to post-independence shifts in patronage, radio, and conservatories. It follows the move into international teaching, highlighting “bi-musical” training, the stylistic bounds of improvisation, and practical contrasts between uyon-uyon gatherings and Westernized concert formats. Along the way, it reflects on how institutions, notation, and audience expectations reshape tradition across cultures.