Laura Reinwald

I joined Sanggar Lestari in early 2013 upon returning from a seven-month exchange program in Indonesia. I had became close friends with one of the dancers who happened to be undertaking the same program in Yogyakarta as myself, and she encouraged me to join the group when we both returned to Melbourne. What I really enjoy about dancing is how the diverse traditions and cultures that make up Indonesia are represented through the dances we have performed, from Tari Saman (Aceh) to Tari Taume Anuku (Nusa Tenggara Timur). Through the many performances over the years since joining Lestari, I have been privileged to become part of the wider Indonesian community in Melbourne. Although each dance we do is unique and fun, my favourite is Tari Janggrung Dher, as the music takes me straight back to the fortnightly gamelan practice that I would go to with my host family whilst living in Yogyakarta, as well as the warmth of my host mother and the sights and sounds of Central Java, always reminding me of where my passion for Indonesia began.

---

Region - Sumatra / Dance - Tari Lilin / Make Up - Susie Stevens