Americans Learning Gamelan in Bali

Abstract

The chapter analyzes the development and scope of educational tourism programs in the performing arts, including collegiate study-abroad programs, in the context of the Balinese tourism industry. The programs—which include hands-on music making and dance instruction, lectures and workshops, and visits to performing arts events and tourist sites—feature elements of both educational and leisure tourism. Through an examination of several different models for such “edutourism” programs, the chapter suggests that while they capitalize on presenting an “authentic” experience of Balinese-ness for participants, they also provide distinctive opportunities for foreigners to transcend the conventional tourist role via more direct involvement in Balinese community events and by treating and compensating teachers as professionals.