Sinta Penyami Storms is a traditional Indonesian dance artist who is also known as a strategic, visionary, and community-based leader who utilizes dance, fashion, cuisine, and other aspects of Indonesian cultural tradition to support dialogue and education about critical issues impacting the Indonesian diaspora in Philadelphia, including immigration, cross-racial solidarity, public health, intergenerational relationships, and governance.

Through her work to preserve the traditional Indonesian culture, Sinta provides a safe space for the Indonesian community members to freely express themselves despite their background, social or immigrant status & religious differences.

More About Sinta

Born and raised in Indonesia, Sinta began her dance training at the age of 5 and studied under a few master artists then started her professional debut at the age of 10. After moving to the US in 1999 and not giving up her passion for dancing, she founded the Indonesian Cultural Club of DE. She returns to Indonesia often where she trains further in Balinese, Javanese, and other dance styles. In 2011 she founded Modero & Company Dance in South Philadelphia.

Sinta’s vision is to preserve the traditional Indonesian culture through dancing, food, events, and other experiences for South Philly’s Indonesian community and the greater Philadelphia public. Her mission through her passion for dancing, food, and quality events is to bring the community together. She works closely within the community and beyond to promote unity in diversity. Her motto is rooted in her Indonesian heritage which is Gotong Royong (loosely translated: teamwork) and Sintuwu Maroso (to live in harmony and be strong as a community).

Sinta has been awarded the Leeway Foundations Transformation Award ’21 and Art and Change ’15 and multiple apprenticeship Grants from the PA Council on the Arts.

Sinta is married to her husband Jamie Storms and they have five children: JJ, Rah, Josh, Grace, and Nick.