Hey, I’m Deena,
My love for traditional Indonesian dance started at a young age. As an Indonesian who was born raised in Australia, I’ve always had a deep connection to my roots. I’ve always had an interest in my heritage, soaking up stories about my ancestors and my parents’ experiences. There’s this ongoing curiosity about what life would have been like if I had grown up in Indonesia rather than Australia.
I wasn’t much of a reader as a kid, still not to be honest, so my connection to my history came from family stories, films, music, and cultural events. Even though I’ve never been a big reader, one thing that has always excited me is dance. I used to love attending cultural events where they had traditional Indonesian dance performances on stage, getting completely lost in the graceful moves.
When I hit the age of 10, my parents took me to the Indonesian Consulate in Melbourne where they held traditional Indonesian dance classes every weekend. That marked the beginning of my exciting journey into learning about the incredible world of traditional Indonesian dance!
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My journey through various dance styles, culminating in an unexpected challenge to perform freestyle at an event called Blossom Through the Memories. Confronting my fears head-on, this experience marked a pivotal moment in my path to embracing freestyle dance and
I never imagined myself diving into the world of Theatre in Bali. I’d always admired it from afar, but being part of it seemed out of reach. That all changed when Bumi Bajra, a Balinese Theatre group specialising in the
Blending traditional Indonesian dance with spontaneous photography in an impromptu backyard photoshoot, using custom Lightroom presets to capture the essence of our heritage.
A journey to learning traditional Balinese dance in Bali. From childhood exposure in Australia to a determined search for the perfect dance school in Bali, the narrative captures the challenges faced, including language barriers and varying teaching styles. Including a
In 2023, Deena participated in the Indonesian Arts & Culture Scholarship program, to learn Tari Gandrung and performed at events like the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival and Indonesia Channel in Jakarta. Overcoming challenges, including dancing in the rain, she achieved a
Applying for a Schengan Visa is quiet a time consuming process. There is a lot of preparation required before even
Blending traditional Indonesian dance with spontaneous photography in an impromptu backyard photoshoot, using custom Lightroom presets to capture the essence
Explore the challenges of dual identity, from navigating languages and racism in Australia to a transformative experience in Indonesia. This
Exploring sustainable living in Bali, focusing on family practices and delving into the environmental challenges posed by tourism. Sharing both