Sumiyanto, 31, born and raised in the Klaten regency of central Java, and Ayako Nezu, 39, from Kawasaki, met in 2002 in the central part of the Indonesian island while they were studying at a national traditional arts college in Solo.
Nezu was studying Javanese dance, while Sumiyanto was a student of music, majoring in Javanese gamelan. He went on to become a professional player.
The two first met when they both happened to go to the same gamelan concert. Later, they became friends when they performed gamelan music and Javanese dance in a group of about 20 people at a mutual friend's wedding.