Director, Music of Java Ensemble
Joko Sutrisno is a native speaker of Javanese and Indonesian languages, born in Central Java, and began learning gamelan music from his father at 5 years of age. Since 2002, Sutrisno has worked as the Artistic Director of Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble, a community-based group in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Through teaching, performances, and community outreach, he promotes an understanding of and appreciation for Indonesian gamelan music, dance, and culture. With his strong leadership skills and his student-centered teaching style, Sumunar has achieved a high level of playing that has resulted in many prominent performances. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Sutrisno worked for Education, Cultural, Social and Information Affairs of the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand and taught gamelan music at the Victoria University of Wellington 1987–1995. Sutrisno also served as adjunct faculty at the College of Saint Catherine in Saint Paul 1995–1999.