A woman with long dark hair poses outdoors in a grassy field during sunset, wearing a red and green polka dot top and a patterned skirt.

Alfira

Artistic Director

Alfira O'Sullivan is the Artistic Director of Suara Indonesia Dance, which she founded in 2001. She is a dance artist and educator specialising in traditional and contemporary Indonesian dance. She studied at the Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Central Java), and conducted research and trained under master dance instructors in Aceh (North Sumatra). She holds a Bachelors in International Studies (UNSW) and an Honours degree in Indonesian Studies (University of Sydney).

Alfira performs nationally and internationally as a solo artist as well as with her dance troupe. She is a renowned educator and facilitator, presenting at conferences and leading workshops across the globe, from New Zealand to Europe, Palestine to South East Asia and Papua New Guinea.

A strong advocate for inclusion, cultural safety and social justice, Alfira is especially passionate about bringing her work to regional and remote communities. She collaborates regularly with practitioners from other traditions, including in Yirrkala, East Arnhem Land where historical connections between Indonesia and Yolngu communities predate European settlement through trade. 

Alfira is a Board member of the Australia-Indonesia Institute.

A man sitting on the floor with his knees drawn up in a dance studio, smiling. In the background, a woman in red workout clothes looks into a mirror near ballet barres and chairs.

Murtala

Choreographer

Murtala, originally from Aceh in North Sumatra, is a highly experience choreographer and performer, who joined Suara Indonesia Dance in its early days. Murtala trained under traditional teachers in Banda Aceh from the age of 11. He was one of the last generation to practice sitting body percussion dances as a Sufi practice, as well as a performing art. Murtala holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Institute of the Arts, Padang) and a Masters in Dance (Java).

Murtala specialises in Acehnese body percussion and sitting dances and is frequently interviewed as a scholarly reference regarding these forms. He has also trained extensively in other traditional Indonesian dance styles.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, Murtala returned to his homeland, where he took part in the emergency relief effort. He then established a local NGO, which focused on using traditional dance to support tsunami and conflict victims.

Murtala continues to create and perform across Indonesia and Australia, passing on his traditional knowledge and using it to inform new contemporary works.

The Suara Dancers

We are very proud of our talented family of dancers. Our dancers are a close knit crew who support each other in work and play.

Many of the team began learning Indonesian dance in Suara kids classes and have since gone on to their own careers in the performing arts as well as working with Suara.

And we are excited to be welcoming new generations to the Suara dance family, as students bring their own kids to join our classes.

A group of about 16 people in red or black Suara t-shirts pose. Kids are sitting at the front.
  • Woman in traditional black, gold and red costume, wearing golden headpiece

    Aletta

  • Woman in patterned batik costume, red scarf and gold necklace looking up

    Danii

  • A woman with long dark hair, hoop earrings, and dark lipstick posing against a light background.

    Jemma

  • A man in traditional attire holding a microphone and smiling on stage.

    Josh

  • A young woman with dark hair styled in a bun, wearing colorful flowers on her head, gold earrings, and a vibrant orange embroidered dress outdoors on a sunny day.

    Lauren

  • Dancer in casual clothing dancing or performing a pose against a plain background.

    Poppin Jack

  • A woman with black hair and a sleeveless patterned top standing outdoors near a body of water, with overhanging tree branches and green foliage in the background.

    Putrika

  • Tiara

  • A woman dressed in traditional attire holding a yellow fan, standing outdoors with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

    Amelia

  • A young girl wearing a traditional colorful headdress with intricate gold, red, and green decorations, and a black embroidered garment with floral designs.

    Cahaya

  • A young boy with curly hair wearing black Acehnese costume and yellow costume pants

    Damai

  • A woman in traditional Mexican dress holding a pink fan in an outdoor park setting with green trees and a clear blue sky.

    Kiara

  • Young woman dressed in traditional Asian attire holding a red paper umbrella outdoors on a sunny day with green trees in the background.

    Paquita

  • A woman with dark hair styled in an elegant bun, adorned with yellow and blue flowers, wearing a purple lace dress with embroidery, standing outdoors in a park with green grass and trees, during sunset.

    Zahra