Enriching the arts environment in Southern California and beyond, the Center for World Music has a long-standing tradition of bringing master teachers of traditional performing arts from abroad to San Diego for concert tours, workshops, and extended residencies.
On this page you will find a list of our distinguished visiting artists from 1974 to 2022.
Distinguished Visiting Artists, 1974–2023
| Teaching Artist | Country | Art Form | Dates |
| I Wayan Suweca | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 1974–1980 |
| I Wayan Sinti | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 1978–1981 |
| Trichy Shankaran | India | Carnatic Percussion | 1980 |
| I Nyoman Astita | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 1982–1983 |
| I Wayan Rai | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 1983–1984 |
| Rizaldi Siagian | Indonesia | Sumatran Drumming | 1983–1984 |
| I. M. Harjito | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1983–1984 |
| K. V. Narayanaswamy | India | Carnatic Vocal Music | 1984-1985 |
| T. S. Narendran | India | Carnatic Percussion | 1984-1985 |
| Ki Midiyanto | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1984-1985 |
| Pak Sarno | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1985–1986 |
| Rahayu Supanggah | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1987–1988 |
| Sunarno Purwolelono | Indonesia | Javanese Dance | 1989–1990 |
| K. P. H. Notoprojo | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1989–1992 |
| I Made Lasmawan | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 1990–1992 |
| Dalang Oemartopo | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1993–1995 |
| Ephat Mujuru | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 1994 |
| Djoko Walujo | Indonesia | Javanese Gamelan | 1997–2022 |
| Komla Amoaku | Ghana | Ewe Drumming | 1994–1995 |
| William Anku | Ghana | Ewe Drumming | 1995–1996 |
| Forward Kwenda | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 1997 |
| Tute Chigamba | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 1998 |
| Cosmas Magaya | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 1998 |
| M. R. Lotfi | Iran | Persian Setar | 1998 |
| Amir Pourjavady | Iran | Persian Setar | 2003–2004 |
| Hossein Omoumi | Iran | Persian Ney | 2003 |
| I Nyoman Sumandhi | Indonesia | Balinese Gamelan | 2000, 2002–03 |
| Ni Putu Sutiati | Indonesia | Balinese Dance | 2002–2003 |
| Kwame Degbor | Ghana | Ewe Drumming and Dance | 2005–2008 |
| Yudhisthir Nayak | India | Odissi Dance | 2005–2010 |
| Janhabi Behera | India | Odissi Dance | 2008–2009 |
| Amulya Balabantaray | India | Odissi Dance | 2010–2016 |
| Ade Suparman | Indonesia | Sundanese Gamelan | 2011–2013 |
| Nomsa Burkhardt | South Africa | Zulu Dance | 2011–2021 |
| Jacob Mafuleni | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 2012–2013 |
| Martha Thom | Zimbabwe | Shona Dance | 2012–2013 |
| Jorge Choquehuillca | Peru | Andean Music | 2012–2013 |
| Merja Soria | Finland | Kantele and Singing | 2018 |
| Eduardo “Dudu” Fuentes | Brazil | Samba Percussion | 2017–2018 |
| Patience Chaitezvi Munjeri | Zimbabwe | Shona Mbira | 2019 |