Giri Kedaton

Bali in Montréal

Our mission

Giri Kedaton brings the arts of Bali to life and shares them with wider audiences, particularly through music and dance. Driven by a constant pursuit of artistic excellence and the joy of performing together, the ensemble shares the richness of these living traditions through concerts, teaching, and encounters with audiences.

The ensemble

Our history

Highlights from the past 40 years

Choose a year or scroll through the story.

1986

Bali at Vancouver’s Expo 86

For the 1986 World Exposition in Vancouver, the government brings four gamelans to Canada for its pavilion: three Balinese gamelans and one Javanese gamelan.

Photograph from the Evangelista family’s personal archives, taken during a concert at the Expo.
Photograph from the Evangelista family’s personal archives, taken during a concert at the Expo.
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During the Expo, several concerts showcase the instruments. Groups of Indonesian musicians come to play them, and a concert is also organized with Gamelan Sekar Jaya from San Francisco, one of the first Balinese gamelan groups outside Bali. During this period, composer José Evangelista works to persuade the Indonesian government to donate the instruments to Canadian universities after the Expo. Thanks to his efforts, Université de Montréal receives the three Balinese gamelans the following year—gong kebyar, angklung and beleganjur/gambuh—while the Javanese gamelan is donated to Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

1987

The gamelan arrives at Université de Montréal

The instruments arrive in Montréal in January 1987.

Excerpt from the first gamelan workshop
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To mark the occasion, the Faculty of Music organizes a workshop in January 1987 with Michael Tenzer, a musicologist and specialist in Balinese music. This workshop marks the Montréal and university communities’ first encounter with the newly acquired instruments.

1988

The gamelan workshop’s first major concert

In May 1988, the new gamelan workshop gives its first concert under the direction of I Wayan Suwecca from Kayumas. Both the balcony and main floor of Salle Claude-Champagne are sold out, with more than 900 people attending this historic concert.

Excerpt from the first gamelan concert
1992

Sekar Giri Kedaton

The first use of the name Giri Kedaton—then Sekar Giri Kedaton, meaning “flower of the royal mountain.”

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1994–1995

An ensemble takes shape

On August 14, 1994, in Alexandria, musicians perform independently of the course for the first time as Giri Kedaton. The ensemble is officially founded in 1995 under the artistic direction of Sylvain Mathieu.

An ensemble takes shape
2002

An ensemble in residence

Giri Kedaton is incorporated and becomes an ensemble in residence at the Université de Montréal Faculty of Music. A lasting framework with the Faculty is established to support its artistic activities.

An ensemble in residence
2004–2005

Pleines Lunes sur Bali

To mark its 10th anniversary, Giri Kedaton presents “Pleines Lunes sur Bali,” a full season devoted to discovering Balinese arts through concerts, storytelling, talks, a dance workshop and an open rehearsal.

2007

Bali X: making room for new music

At Théâtre Plaza, Bali X brings gamelan into dialogue with rock and electronic music. Led by Éric Vandal and Gabriel Evangelista, the project opens up space for new compositions and collaborations.

Jauk Manis incorporated into Gabriel Evangelista’s piece RaksasaXcess
Jauk Manis incorporated into Gabriel Evangelista’s piece RaksasaXcess
2009

A first album

Bali X continues on record. Giri Kedaton’s first album launches at Club Lambi on October 21, 2009.

Album cover
Album cover
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The record appears in Mirror critic Rupert Bottenberg’s selection of the year’s ten best albums.

2017

Ô Bali: a tribute to José Evangelista

On December 7 at Salle Pierre-Mercure, “Ô Bali” celebrates José Evangelista. Co-produced with the SMCQ, the concert is part of its tribute series to the composer and founding member of Giri Kedaton.

Video tribute to José Evangelista following his death in 2023
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The concert includes a reprise of Concerto Kebyar for gong kebyar and ondes Martenot, along with a gamelan arrangement of Ô Bali, which the SMCQ also presents in its original version for chamber ensemble.

2018

On tour in New Brunswick

Three cities, three encounters: from May 25 to 27, the ensemble performs in Miramichi, Fredericton, and Saint John with the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick.

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This is Giri Kedaton’s first tour outside Québec, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.

2022–2023

Gamelan meets electroacoustics

With Live@CIRMMT at McGill, followed by “Electro-Gamelan” at Salle Serge-Garant, the ensemble explores new sonic spaces through the work of I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara.

Gamelan meets electroacoustics
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A guest director since 2019, Arya becomes co-director alongside Pierre Paré-Blais in 2022. He succeeds Dewa Suparta, co-director from 2015 to 2022 and previously a guest director from 2009.

2023

At the OSM’s Classical Spree

On August 19, 2023, Giri Kedaton performs at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier as part of the OSM’s Classical Spree. The performance receives an enthusiastic response in the Montréal press.

Photograph of Tari Kebyar Trompong during the concert
Photograph of Tari Kebyar Trompong during the concert
2025

At the Pesta Kesenian Bali

On June 21, Giri Kedaton joins gamelan Naradha Gita in Denpasar as part of the Badung delegation, taking part in the opening parade of the Pesta Kesenian Bali.

2025 parade — still from Restu Pinatih’s video, reproduced in the press dossier.
2025 parade — still from Restu Pinatih’s video, reproduced in the press dossier.
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Directors

Pierre Paré-Blais

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Co-artistic director
Depuis 2015

I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara

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Co-artistic director
Depuis 2022

Ni Lu Nyoman Srayamurtikanti

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Guest music and dance director
Depuis 2026

The people behind the music

Influential musicians, passionate dancers and our administrative team.

Ni Komang Swijani

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Dancer
Depuis 1995

Sandra Wong

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Dancer and musician
1988-1994, depuis 2023

James Whale

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Ensemble musician and musical direction assistant
Depuis 2020

Annie Perreault

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Musician and board member
Depuis 2006

Laurent Bellemare

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Musician, musicologist and archivist · Administrative support and financial officer
Depuis 2015

Pierre Olivier Alarie

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Founding alumnus and board member
Depuis 1994

Nathalie Fernando

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Board member · Dean of the Faculty of Music

The musicians

  • Annie Perreault
  • Antoine Goudreau
  • Arige Mahmoud
  • Arya Deva Suryanegara
  • David Arango-Valencia
  • Dewa Made Suparta
  • Elisa Jaques
  • Hugo Levasseur
  • Jacob Lilly
  • James Whale
  • Jérémy Palardy
  • Juliana The
  • Karel Smith-Wong
  • Laurent Bellemare
  • Marie-Michèle Plamondon
  • Pat Belair
  • Pierre Paré-Blais
  • Reny Warsiyati Georges
  • Roxann Fisher
  • Sandra Wong
  • Yi Chen

Join our ensemble

Want to share in Balinese music and dance? Get to know our community.

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Gamelan workshop

What we have built together in Montréal

Through concerts, workshops and encounters with artists from Bali, a community has grown around gamelan. These figures tell a story of music and shared knowledge.

Years of music with Giri Kedaton
20+
Students taught in the workshop
1 000+
Concerts and events
150+
Guest artists from Bali
16

Past directors

Giri Kedaton’s artistic leadership through the years.

José Evangelista

Workshop founded
1987
Born–died
1943–2023
I Wayan Suweca (Kayumas)

I Wayan Suweca (Kayumas)

Workshop
1987–1988, 1992–1993
Born–died
1948–2023
I Nyoman Astita

I Nyoman Astita

Workshop
1988–1989
I Wayan Suweca (Batubulan)

I Wayan Suweca (Batubulan)

Workshop
1989–1992
I Ketut Gede Asnawa

I Ketut Gede Asnawa

Workshop
1993–1994
Portrait coming soon

I Wayan Berata

Workshop
Winter 1995
Born–died
1926–2014
Sylvain Mathieu

Sylvain Mathieu

Direction
1995–2005
Workshop
1995–2006
Éric Vandal

Éric Vandal

Co-direction
2005–2015
Workshop
2006–2009, 2013–2014
Gabriel Evangelista

Gabriel Evangelista

Co-direction
2005–2009
Workshop
2006–2009
I Dewa Made Suparta

I Dewa Made Suparta

Workshop
2009–2013
Guest direction
2009–2015
Co-direction
2015–2022
Nino Gabrielli

Nino Gabrielli

Co-direction
2009–2015

Frequently asked questions

Get to know Giri Kedaton and its activities.

What is gamelan music?

Gamelan is an Indonesian ensemble music tradition featuring metallophones, gongs and drums. The Balinese style we perform is characterized by interlocking rhythms and shimmering metallic tones, creating music rich in contrast and texture.

Can I join the ensemble?

Would you like to make music or dance with us? Giri Kedaton announces two recruitment periods each year, usually in September and January, but our door is always open to potential new members. Tell us about your background and your interest in Balinese arts. We can discuss opportunities to participate and help you find your place in the ensemble or the workshop.

Get in touch
Do you offer classes?

Yes! The gamelan workshop offers a university setting in which to learn this music through ensemble practice and discover Balinese traditions. We also offer beginner music and dance classes for the general public. Visit our Learn page for current classes and registration details.

Explore our classes
Where do you perform?

Giri Kedaton performs in Montréal and beyond, in concert halls, cultural venues and festivals. We produce our own concerts and also appear at events organized by other presenters. We give at least two public concerts every year, in April and December. Check our calendar for upcoming opportunities to hear us.

See upcoming events
How is the ensemble funded?

As a non-profit organization, Giri Kedaton relies on income from its activities, donations, grants, and the support of its partners and community. These contributions help us keep Balinese music and dance alive and share them with audiences. Discover the different ways to support our work.

Support Giri Kedaton

More questions?

Write to us directly; we’ll be happy to hear from you.

Write to us

Our partners

Pierre Paré-Blais

Pierre Paré-Blais

Co-artistic director

Depuis 2015

Biography

Pierre Paré-Blais discovers the arts of Bali in 2005, after studying physical theatre at Marianopolis College. He travels there with the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre to study masked dance (topeng) and shadow theatre (wayang kulit). This visit also introduces him to the gender, an instrument that accompanies shadow theatre, through studies with Balinese masters including I Anom Putra, I Wayan Mardika and I Kadek Budi Setiawan.

Back in Montréal, he begins studying electroacoustic composition at Université de Montréal in 2007. He discovers the gamelan course and soon joins Giri Kedaton, continuing the artistic connections he developed in Bali.

Pierre returns to Bali regularly to continue training with Balinese masters, learn new dances and refine his musical practice. These visits also offer opportunities to participate in performances and develop his practice alongside local artists.

Pierre has been co-artistic director of Giri Kedaton since 2015. His path brings together music, dance and theatre, nourished by his encounters with Balinese traditions.

I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara
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I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara

Co-artistic director

Depuis 2022

Biography

From Kerobokan, Bali, I Putu Arya Deva Suryanegara is a musician and composer. His practice brings Balinese gamelan repertoires into dialogue with electroacoustics, computer music and sonic experimentation. He explores tuning, spatialisation and resonance.

A graduate of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts in Denpasar in 2018, he earns a master’s degree in musical composition and sound creation at Université de Montréal in 2024, under the supervision of Pierre Michaud. His works and research have been presented in Indonesia, Canada and the United States.

Invited to Giri Kedaton as a guest musical director in 2019, Arya becomes co-artistic director alongside Pierre Paré-Blais in 2022. He is also a cofounder of the Naradha Gita arts collective and contributes to the exploration of Balinese music through his compositions, collaborations and publications.

Ni Lu Nyoman Srayamurtikanti
Instagram

Ni Lu Nyoman Srayamurtikanti

Guest music and dance director

Depuis 2026

Biography

Known by her stage name Sraya, Ni Lu Nyoman Srayamurtikanti is a Balinese musician and composer. Her approach draws on Bali’s musical traditions to create works that bring inherited repertoires together with new forms of expression.

She begins composing in 2017, guided by her father, a self-taught composer, and by encounters with various artists and teachers. She founds Sanggar S’mara Murti, an ensemble devoted to the practice and development of Balinese music.

Welcomed as a guest musician with Giri Kedaton during the 2023–2024 season, Sraya returns to the ensemble in 2026. She has since served as guest music and dance director.

Ni Komang Swijani

Ni Komang Swijani

Dancer

Depuis 1995

Biography

Biography coming soon

Sandra Wong

Sandra Wong

Dancer and musician

1988-1994, depuis 2023

Biography

Biography coming soon

James Whale

James Whale

Ensemble musician and musical direction assistant

Depuis 2020

Biography

Biography coming soon

Annie Perreault

Annie Perreault

Musician and board member

Depuis 2006

Biography

Biography coming soon

Laurent Bellemare

Laurent Bellemare

Musician, musicologist and archivist · Administrative support and financial officer

Depuis 2015

Biography

Biography coming soon

Pierre Olivier Alarie

Pierre Olivier Alarie

Founding alumnus and board member

Depuis 1994

Biography

Biography coming soon

Nathalie Fernando

Nathalie Fernando

Board member · Dean of the Faculty of Music

Biography

Biography coming soon

A tribute to José Evangelista

Born–died 1943–2023

Watch on YouTube ↗

Photo : Matilde Asencio Salvador / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cadrage adapté.