Where to Learn Balinese Dance and Traditional Music

Bali’s soul is expressed not only through temples and landscapes but also through its living art forms—Balinese dance and Gamelan music. These aren’t mere performances for tourists; they are sacred rituals, storytelling mediums, and a way for Balinese people to connect with the divine.

Whether performed in majestic temple ceremonies or village courtyards, these art forms are imbued with meaning and tradition. If you’re a curious traveler, artist, or simply someone longing to experience Bali beyond the surface, joining a dance or Gamelan class will offer you an unforgettable window into the island’s cultural soul.

Here are the top places where you can learn and immerse yourself in authentic Balinese performing arts—with expanded insights and helpful addresses included. 🎭🥁

💃 1. ARMA (Agung Rai Museum of Art) – Ubud’s Cultural Oasis

📍 Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) is more than a museum—it’s a living cultural center where traditional Balinese dance and music thrive. Founded by Agung Rai, a respected cultural advocate, ARMA preserves and promotes authentic Balinese arts in a lush, tranquil setting.

Dance classes are led by skilled performers deeply rooted in ceremonial traditions, offering students a chance to learn graceful Legong movements, expressive Baris warrior stances, and sacred temple dance techniques. Gamelan music lessons are taught in serene, open-air pavilions where learners can grasp rhythm, coordination, and the meaning behind each note.

This is an ideal place for those who seek a deeper connection to Balinese heritage through structured, insightful learning in a spiritual environment.

👣 2. Pondok Pekak Library & Learning Center – Ubud’s Creative Corner

📍 Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

A beloved cultural hub nestled behind Ubud’s main road, Pondok Pekak began as a local library and blossomed into a hands-on learning center for traditional Balinese arts. It’s welcoming, family-friendly, and perfect for beginners.

Here, you can take casual dance classes where instructors guide you through every flick of the hand and turn of the head, often with joyful commentary and cultural storytelling. Gamelan lessons are relaxed and interactive, using real instruments and often ending with a playful group jam.

It’s the perfect starting point for travelers who want to dabble in culture while having fun, especially if you’re traveling with children or on a flexible itinerary.

🥁 3. Balerung Stage at Peliatan – Learn from the Masters

📍 Jl. Raya Peliatan, Peliatan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

If you’re seeking high-level instruction from traditional masters, head to Balerung Stage in Peliatan, a village legendary for its dance and Gamelan excellence.

This venue is home to some of Bali’s most respected performers, many of whom come from long lineages of court dancers and musicians. Lessons go beyond surface-level technique—you’ll learn about narrative structures, ceremonial significance, and even how facial expressions convey emotion and divinity in Balinese storytelling.

With frequent live performances and deep community roots, Balerung offers an authentic and immersive environment for serious learners or curious observers.

🎶 4. Mekar Bhuana Gamelan & Dance Academy – Preserving Rare Traditions

📍 Br. Belaluan Sadmerta, Jl. Noja Saraswati No.20, Denpasar, Bali 80236, Indonesia

Located in Denpasar, Mekar Bhuana is a true cultural gem dedicated to preserving endangered dance forms and rare Gamelan orchestras. The founders, both cultural researchers and performers, have painstakingly restored ancient instruments and choreography.

Lessons here are highly personalized—you can choose from learning a specific regional style, studying traditional tuning systems, or understanding ceremonial music theory. Whether you’re a scholar, artist, or curious traveler, this academy offers a rare, deep dive into the subtleties of Balinese performing arts that are often overlooked elsewhere.

🎭 5. Sanggar Çudamani – Art Meets Spiritual Devotion

📍 Jl. Raya Teges, Teges Kanginan, Peliatan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Founded in 1997 in the cultural heart of Ubud, Çudamani is both a renowned performance group and an educational collective nurturing the next generation of Balinese artists. Known internationally for their innovation rooted in tradition, Çudamani teaches with a focus on community values, spiritual intention, and artistic discipline.

The group offers short-term workshops and intensive residencies in Gamelan and dance. Whether you’re learning Legong or playing gender wayang (shadow puppet Gamelan), lessons here stress not just the art form, but the devotional essence behind every movement and rhythm.

A powerful place to study for those who want to feel the spirit behind the performance.

🏨 Top Places to Stay for Cultural Immersion

✔️ Capella Ubud – A luxurious tented jungle retreat with curated cultural programs and proximity to top art venues.

✔️ Komaneka at Rasa Sayang – Boutique-style elegance in the heart of Ubud, steps away from ARMA and local dance centers.

✔️ Alaya Resort Ubud – A stylish hotel offering on-site cultural workshops and easy access to learning centers.

✔️ Amankila – A peaceful, high-end base for exploring Bali’s cultural heartlands in the east.

✔️ Komaneka at Bisma – A stylish resort near central Ubud with art-focused experiences and gallery access.

✔️ Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan – A luxury retreat surrounded by nature, ideal for cultural excursions.

✔️ The Kayon Jungle Resort – Peaceful and inspiring, great for visiting Penestanan and nearby art studios.

To learn Balinese dance or Gamelan is to walk in the footsteps of generations who have honored the gods, told stories, and expressed devotion through rhythm and movement. It’s not just art—it’s a form of prayer, a social bond, and a sacred legacy.

Whether you attend one class or immerse yourself fully, these experiences will connect you to the spirit of Bali in a way that no guidebook ever could. Step into the rhythm, embrace the elegance, and let Bali share her stories through your hands and heart.

📸 For more cultural insights and authentic arts experiences, follow us: @baliexpertguide