Collaborations and Special Projects
Constantly exploring through diverse creative collaborations with the Malay Gamelan
2017
Swordfish + Concubine
Rhythm in Bronze provided the live music for the theatre production Swordfish + Concubine, a story by Kee Thuan Chye
Music Directors : Jillian Ooi & Teuku Umar Ilany
Theatre Director : Kee Thuan Chye
2023
After the Encore: Unwind with 'Secret Gardens of the Sea Conference
Held as a continuation of Seruan Setu, the Secret Gardens of the Sea Conference brought together artists, conservationists, and scientists to explore the intersection of performing arts and marine conservation.
Blending music, storytelling, and seagrass advocacy, the conference invited participants to dive deeper into the creative process behind the production, while amplifying the urgency of protecting Malaysia’s fragile seagrass ecosystems.
Conference Curator: Sharmini Ratnasingam
2025
Alunan Dengung
Blending Malay gamelan, oceanic soundscapes, and electro-acoustic experimentation, Alunan Dengung is a cross-cultural collaboration between composers and performers from Malaysia and the UK.
Held over a five-day creative residency, the project explores new ways of hearing and composing by integrating underwater field recordings with live improvisation. The process culminates in a public showing of work-in-progress compositions, inviting audiences into the evolving conversation between heritage, nature, and technology.
This project is supported by British Council's Connections Through Culture programme
UK - Malaysia 2024-2025
Project Team: Jillian Ooi, Sharmini Ratnasingam (Malaysia)Adrian Lee, Sunetra Fernando, Simon Limbrick (UK)
2015
Beyond Gongs - Rhythm in Bronze with Taikuh Jikang
The Beyond Gongs project was a collaboration between Rhythm in Bronze and Taikuh Jikang from Japan, to deepen understanding of both Malaysian and Japanese culture and the evolution of contemporary musical creativity within the region
Artistic & Music Directors: Jillian Ooi and Kohey Kawamura
Producers:Sharmini Ratnasingam and
Aki Uehara
2014
RiB Composition Workshop #2
Rhythm in Bronze conducted their 2nd music composition workshop, facilitated by Gareth Farr, a composer from New Zealand. New compositions from Rhythm In Bronze members were introduced, refined and presented in a small performance
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Facilitator: Gareth Farr
Executive Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
2014
Masterclass with Sanggar Singamurti #2
Rhythm in Bronze's 2nd masterclass with Sanggar Singamurthi in Gianyar, Bali
Facilitators: Pak Wayan Chitra and Agus Win
2014
Desserts with RiB
“Desserts with RIB" is part of the ensemble’s showcase series which gives the group the opportunity to explore new gamelan works and collaborations in a casual and informal atmosphere.
In this performance, we were privileged to work with thespian Ghafir Akbar and songstress Ida Mariana and Stephanie Van Driesen.
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
2011
MPO Happy Hour
Rhythm in Bronze 2nd collaboration with a number of musicians from the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, introducing Rhythm in Bronze and its different styles.
Artistic Director: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Music Director: Ann Salina Peter
Narrator: Grey Yeoh
Producers: Sharmini Ratnasingam & Julie Dessureault
2011
SuperEverything
In 2011, the British Council invited The Light Surgeons to create and develop a performance project that would explore the rich cultural landscape of Malaysia.
This new commission brought unique creative processes and artistic direction to new audiences and was a valuable opportunity to produce a new piece of live cinema work in collaboration with a group of leading Malaysian audio and visual artists
Rhythm In Bronze was one of the collaborators in co-creating the music and soundscape
RiB Collaborators: Ann Salina Peter, Christine May Yong and Teuku Umar
Producers: Sharmini Ratnasingam & Grey Yeoh
2010
RiB Composition Workshop #1
With the kind support of HSBC in the Arts & Malaysia Airlines, RiB conducted a music composition workshop. Designed to guide Rhythm in Bronze members in the gamelan composition process, the workshop was facilitated by a well-know gamelan composer, New Zealander Gareth Farr.
Facilitator: Gareth Farr
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
2010
Masterclass withSanggar Singamurti #1
Rhythm in Bronze members participated in a 3-day masterclass in Gianyar, Bali with the established Balinese gamelan ensemble; Sanggar Singamurthi
Facilitators: Pak Wayan Chitra and Agus Win
2010
MPO MID-WEEK JAM: A Gamelan Discovery
Rhythm in Bronze collaborated with a number of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, introducing the mystical Malay gamelan instruments in a story form
Artistic Director: Sharmini Ratnasingam
Music Directors: Seow Lai Fong & Ann Salina Peter
2008
Sultan of Kedah’s 50th Sovereignty Anniversary
The Kedah Royal family had invited Rhythm in Bronze to perform at the Sultan of Kedah’s 50th anniversary of his sovereignty. Susan Sarah John, who is Rhythm in Bronze’s Music Director and also a Kedah native, was specially commissioned by Sultan of Kedah’s daughter to compose a song for her dad.
Music Director: Susan Sarah John
Producer : Sharmini Ratnasingam
2008
Buka Panggung - Tejasuara
Blessing ceremony of Rhythm in Bronze’s very own gamelan set, named Tejasuara (“radiant sound”), sponsored by HSBC in their support of the arts
Music Director: Jillian Ooi
Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam
2006
UTIH – Celebrating Krishen
A ‘wayang kulit’ tribute with a twist to the late Dato’ Krishen Jit, who had been instrumental in guiding Rhythm in Bronze’s journey
Artistic & Music Director: Jillian Ooi
2004
Rhythm in Bronze with The Australian Song Company
Rhythm in Bronze collaborated with Australia’s The Song Company, combining gamelan and voice -and exchanging ideas and expertise. Gamelan Composer, New Zealander Gareth Farr was commissioned to compose Lagu Untuk Teman Baru (A Song for a New Friend) which featured gamelan with 4 voices
Song Company Artistic Director: Roland Peelman
RiB Music Directors: Sunetra Fernando & Jillian Ooi
Executive Producer: Marion D’Cruz
2002
Kuala Lumpur BBC Proms Festival
Sunetra Fernando was commissioned by the Malaysian Philharmonic to compose Wayang, to be performed in a collaboration between the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Rhythm in Bronze and the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group, directed by MPO Associate Conductor Kevin Field.
Music Director: Sunetra Fernando
Producer: Five Arts
2001
Rhythm In Bronze CD
The Rhythm In Bronze CD project is the first recording of contemporary Malaysian gamelan music featuring original compositions by local composers like Sunetra Fernando, Michael Veerapen, Tan Sooi Beng Suhaimi Mohd Zain, Wayan I Rajeg, alongside a traditional Malayand Javanese repertoire specially adapted for the Malaysian gamelan. The CD incorporates different instruments like vocals, electric guitars, the Kelantanese rebab and Chinese shigu drums amongst others into the traditional gamelan repertoire
Artistic & Music Director: Sunetra Fernando
Producer: Marion D’Cruz