Giri Kedaton, which means ”Royal Mountain” in Balinese, got its start thanks to the donation of two Balinese gamelans from the Indonesian government to the Faculty of Music of the University of Montreal after its World Fair exhibition in Vancouver in 1986. A series of Balinese gamelan workshops, hosting the great masters of Balinese music, quickly became a victim of its own success. In 1995, the idea of creating an autonomous and distinct ensemble out of the gamelan workshops became a reality, and Giri Kedaton was born. Composed of 25 musicians and 3 dancers, the ensemble has performed in numerous festivals such as the Francofolies 2016, the Classica Festival, the Festival Traditions du Monde de Sherbrooke, and the Orientalys Festival. In 2007, Giri Kedaton developed a project called Bali X that merges Balinese music with other styles such as metal, techno, pop, rock, etc. Giri Kedaton’s mandate is to showcase Balinese music and culture in Montreal, throughout Quebec, and across Canada to highlight Balinese culture and to maintain links between the Bali music community and the broader Balinese population in Montreal. 

PAMANA ng LuzViMinda Philippine Folkloric Dance Company was founded in 2005 to represent and preserve the Philippine’s intangible cultural heritage. Based in the multicultural metropolis of Montreal, PAMANA has become an important ambassador in Philippine cultural folk dance. Most importantly, throughout the years PAMANA has distinguished itself with its strong commitment to youth mentorship and leadership training.