Twice a week, around 65 boys and girls gather in a humble dance studio in the coastal city of Indramayu, Indonesia, where they learn seven types of mask dance.

Mimi Rasinah, now in her 90s, is the one of the last surviving experts of the dance form.

[Mimi Rasinah, Dance Teacher]:
"I am glad that many young people are interested in the dance. In my era, it was very difficult to get people to dance." 

Rasinah's father began teaching her the dances and music when she was seven, and she has traveled the world performing. In 2005, Rasinah, who is blind in one eye, had a stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. Still, she continued to dance with her right arm and fingers. Rasinah has passed the tradition of teaching the mask dances to her granddaughter, Aerly, who’s now 23.

Aerly now teaches teenagers the energetic traditional moves. The dancers, dressed in batik sarongs, perform to the music of a traditional Gamelan orchestra. Stamping their feet, moving their shoulders and hands, they dance like brave warriors.

But a lack of public interest is putting the mask dances at risk of disappearing.

[Aerly, Indonesian Dancer]:
"We dance on the streets legally, meaning we must get permission from the local leader or authority before performing the dance. Besides the streets, we also try to perform in small meeting halls with small crowds. We have to find alternatives to survive as commercial dance jobs fade away."

They put on a show at least once a month. Aerly is optimistic the dance will survive, with many children interested in learning the dance.
 
[Vina, Indonesian Dance Student]:
"I like to dance, especially when we perform and many people come to see."   

The students are mostly children of local farmers and fishermen. They pay just 50 U.S. cents a week to learn the dances.