Teaching, Learning, Representing

This chapter uses the concepts of musical and cultural competence to examine practical and philosophical approaches to teaching Balinese gamelan to American college students. Drawing on the approaches and philosophies used by half a dozen teachers, the chapter examines basic approaches to gamelan pedagogy, including assigning instruments and the choice and adaptation of repertoire, with consideration of what constitutes artistic and pedagogical success. Cultural representation and diversity are framed within dual pedagogical goals: to teach students about the course subject matter (the performing arts of Bali) and to encourage student self-reflection. The chapter concludes that despite the differences in the pedagogical approaches that teachers take, they consistently prioritize the goal of fostering a positive feeling within the ensemble setting.