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Celebrating the life of Hazel Chung
She also played a pivotal role in paving the way for Balinese artists to study at prestigious universities in the United States.
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Appreciation: Bali Cultural Agency head I Wayan Kun Adnyana (left) presents to Hazel Chung a certificate of appreciation from the Bali administration, acknowledging her precious contribution to the advancement and popularization of Balinese traditional dances in the United States. (-/Cokorda Yudistira)
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cores of prominent figures of the Balinese dancing scene pay tribute to an old friend from a faraway land who has dedicated her life to introducing the island’s traditional dances to a broader audience.
Professor Made Bandem, 74, invited American dancer Hazel Chung, 85, onto the stage and convinced her to dance with him.
The audience broke into loud applause as the two elderly yet energetic dancers performed the Baris warrior dance.
The performance was reminiscent of an episode that took place some 60 years ago, when they performed the same dance at a temple festival in Celuk village, Gianyar regency, Bali.
At that time, Bandem was a teenage boy learning dances from his father, the famous I Made Keredek of Singapadu, while Chung was an accomplished ballet dancer studying Baris from dance maestro I Nyoman Kakul.
It was a fateful performance that bound their lives together.
