BALAM Dance Theatre: Mission Statement

Balinese American Dance Theatre, also known as BALAM Dance Theatre, or BALAM was founded in 1979 by choreographer and dance educator Islene Pinder to bring the detailed skills of Balinese dance to New York City.

Photo of Islene Pinder by Julie Lemberger

Presently, BALAM's mission is to

• create original work inspired by diverse cultural dances and historical periods,

• entertain and educate the community through its activities,

• enrich the aesthetics of contemporary dance through the inclusion of movement skills and aesthetics rooted in traditional and historical styles,

• serve as a cultural resource for educators, artists, and community organizations,

• serve communities of diverse socio-economic backgrounds at the grass-roots level by offering affordable and free, well-researched, customized, professional quality performances, lessons, and lectures,

• foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, qualities essential for building a more just and civilized society.

Under Carlos FIttante's directorship, BALAM’s repertoire highlights Contemporary, Balinese, Ballet, Baroque, Spanish Escuela Bolera, Salsa, Japanese Noh, and Martial Arts techniques. Transporting and inspiring, the company’s unique blend of innovative choreography, opulent costumes, striking masks, eclectic music, and fantasy characters enacting mythic tales in a contemporary context, has broad audience appeal and is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds.

2026 Fall Dance Adventure: Malagueña

BALAM celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with the iconic 1933 Spanish melody Malagueña by Cuban-Spanish composer Ernesto Lecuona.

Learn stylish Spanish dance movements and with mantones (Spanish long fringed shawls) in a mysterious and spirited choreography created specifically for workshop participants.

The sessions culminate with a performance in a free studio showing at the Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

September 10 & 25, October 1 & 15, November 5 & 19

Pre-registration is required. Call MSB at 781-631-6262

Marblehead School of Ballet ,115 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945.

This is an introductory-level, in-person workshop geared for adult dance students (18 and older). Performance costumes will be provided by MSB. No prior dance experience required.

The Dance Adventure series is an ongoing artistic collaboration between BALAM Dance Theatre and the Marblehead School of Ballet, offered exclusively at MSB’s beautiful studios on the North Shore.

About BALAM

BALAM has performed throughout the United States and internationally at renowned venues such as: Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, American Museum of Natural History, and the Bali International Arts Festival. Its work has received acclaim from audiences, critics, scholars, and dignitaries alike, including critical praise mentioned in the New York Times, Village Voice, and endorsements from the Indonesian Consulate of New York, and the Governor of Bali.

The company's long standing interest in dance research, along with its extensive collection of Balinese masks, and cutural costumes and props, make it a resource for educators, artists, and scholars.

The Deeper Meaning of the "Ramayana"

By Shelley Lynne Cummins, www.jaisriyogis.com/

Shelley Lynne Cummins is a yoga and Oneness Blessing trainer, as well as a dancer.

The first two limbs in the eight fold path of yoga are the Yamas, Awareness of the obstacles in life, and Niyamas, cultivating practices to remove the obstacles. As these limbs are activated in harmony, a balance or zero point arrives allowing causality to permeate. The classic tale of the Ramayana is a perfect depiction of this inner balance Of polarities producing unity.

As a dancer and yogini, I have had the great opportunity to study and dance the Ramayana for many years. Every time I enter into this great epic, new realizations are found. It is likened to the dance of day, going to sleep and awaking again in the morning for a new play. Amidst the routines of life subtle realizations appear as the mystery of unity Dances around in the unseen worlds.

A yogini's reflection of this great great tale.

The Ramayana is the story of the divine marriage within. It is everyone's story with all the players aspects of their self. The story begins with a happy and harmonious marriage of Sita and Rama. Sita symbolizes the balanced female and Rama the balanced male within each individual.

One day Sita is enticed by a golden deer into the cave of the evil demon, Rawana.

The capture of Sita is a metaphor of the ego consciousness trying to gain control over the potential of all. The golden deer represents the possible deception and false allure of the illusion of this physical plane.

Upon hearing the news of Sita's capture, Rama gives his golden ring to Hanuman the Monkey King. He orders Hanuman to deliver the ring to Sita so she will know help is on the way.

Here Rama embodies his higher masculine qualities of protection of the unseen and the absolute creation which lives in his word.

The ring symbolizes the circle of light around the body, known as the merkabah or golden carriage of light.

Hanuman the Monkey King represents our monkey mind constantly chattering. As our mind unites with the purpose of reinstalling causality, it becomes a servant of the heart. In service Hanuman flies across the ocean to deliver the ring to Sita. He is able to tap into the One Heart Mind And use his merkabah to transport himself where needed.

Hanuman delivers the ring to Sita and upon his return tells Rama of her whereabouts. Rama goes to fight the evil demon, Rawana, for the release of Sita.

Rama is fighting the ultimate battle of light and dark in order to regain the feminine intuitive, All knowing, nurturing life force. The light always wins as it illuminates the dark corners and shadows. Rama reunites with Sita and together they live happily ever after in the diversity and play of unity.

And to think we know the whole story, the entire ring in the circle of life.We boldly go on experiencing each section of the ring.

As Joseph Campbell says: We are each a heroine or hero on a great journey.We begin enlightened creating a life of experiences in order to realize and reunite with our all encompassing light.