My passion for music was nurtured by my parents. I am a proud 2nd generation Indonesian who embraces her Chinese roots and heritage. My siblings and I began playing instruments at an early age. While the music was my first genuine love, I was also a talented ballet and modern dancer who had to retire due to a back injury. A college in Malaysia offered the Berklee Transfer Program (BTP), and after studying there for a year and a half, I auditioned for the Asian World Tour Scholarship, and before I knew it, I was packing my bags to move to Boston to be a full-time Berklee student majoring in Film Scoring. Upon graduating from Berklee College of Music, I moved to Los Angeles in 2014 and completed internships at two world-renowned film composers' studios: Hans Zimmer's Remote Control Productions and Henry Jackman's Sacred Tiger Music Publishing. I worked as a full-time visual media composer starting in 2016. In November of 2018, I was beyond thrilled to win my first award at the HMMA (Hollywood Music in Media Awards) for Best Original Short Film Score for the foreign language short film, "Sigek Cokelat" (A Chocolate Bar) and the rest is history.
I'd say, my love for music led me to become an artist. Growing up, I was surrounded by my parents and siblings who loves and play music. My parents love singing and I can recall my sisters used to practice piano every day. Music became part of my life and my lifestyle. Music is so freeing. Through music, I was also able to express myself and it is where I feel the safest. With time and experience, my talent matures slowly. Thanks to people who gave me a chance to learn, polish my skills, and let me explore more roles professionally in creating vision to live. The more I do, the more I feel satisfied because creating something that wasn't there is something that I feel proud about and share with the world to enjoy. From playing piano, to writing my own songs and compositions, to writing for visual media, producing more music to now producing and come up with the concept of my music videos. Because of the love of music and art, a girl from a small town is now on the other side of the world living her American dreams and California dreams.
I've substantially extended my musical interests and employment options since moving to Los Angeles over eight years ago. When I'm not teaching piano, composition and theory under Jesica Yap Music Academy, I compose music for visual arts, play keyboard/piano for local bands like the indie-pop band Walla Band, lend my expert piano skills to other composers for scoring sessions, and writing songs, producing them and creating the music videos for it.
I am constantly striving to improve, progress, and work outside of my comfort zone to push myself. There are many skills that I have learned along; as an artist, as a business owner, as someone who live far away from home, and last but not least as a human being. Those skills are: work smart and work hard, persevere, creative problem solving, be efficient, deliver my service on time, be consistent, discipline and have a healthy support system.
I'm not sure whether it differentiates me from others. Still, people enjoy my optimistic nature, professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness always to be a team player when they work with me. I still have a lot more to share, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with other accomplished and ambitious artists. Wearing a variety of headgear keeps me occupied and alert. Whether I'm composing for films or other visual mediums, I go all out and execute it to my ability. To conclude it all, an impressive performance/ show/ masterpiece is when we as an artist can be authentically ourselves and be unique in showcasing our masterpiece.
My creative or ideation process comes in random times and random place. I can be in the shower, in the coffee shop, driving, seeing some live shows, or as simple as going on vacation in a nature. It doesn't have to just be in front of the computer is all I am saying. When I am out of ideas I will take a break and go for a walk and the idea will come itself. Once the idea is there, I just need to execute the plan.
For instance in songwriting, the songwriting idea can come from as simple as a word, or topic that caught my attention. From there, it can be the melody first or the lyrics first, and then I will usually doodle on my piano and then start producing it step by step.
I couldn't remember what was the worst performance I saw particularly. What I can remember was the lack of preparation cause the chaos during performance and I just wanted to leave the place.
Thank you! It meant a lot for my career! Winning 16 categories of LIT Talent Awards have definitely helped with publication and validation on the art I created wholeheartedly for the world to enjoy.
Winning an International awards definitely help with putting my foot on the doorstep; one after another. It also gives me a boost of confidence and validation in the music industry. 2018, I received my first awards and to this date I have received multiple awards and they all have led me to greater opportunities in my career.
The challenge was to compete with some high caliber artist. There are many great artist who participate in the entry and to be able to win some categories meant a lot for me.
My advice to anyone beginning on a career path is to accept every difficulty that comes your way since the road to success is never smooth. Challenges and failures are frequently blessings in disguise, providing us with the impetus we need to discover new methods to achieve greater heights. Appreciating each small triumph and milestone along the way keeps us modest and grounded, allowing us to be better prepared for more extensive possibilities that may arise.
As the cliché goes, "a river tears through rock not because of its power but it's persistence." I've always been a results-oriented person, and it's paid off in my career.
After viewing the movie "Air Bud," about a basketball-playing circus dog, I fantasized visiting the United States. I adored the tale and all of the scenery in the film, which left such an impact on me that I began to fantasize about living in the United States and even promised myself that when I grew up, I'd go there. And I did it eventually!
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to my parents, siblings, and friends for their unwavering support. I am grateful to have such a robust support system in my life. They keep me in check. Thank you, I'm able to use everything I've learned in my life and my music career because of you. The education process continues. I'd want to express my gratitude to the directors, producers, and clients who have entrusted me with their projects. Thank you for including me in your squad of athletes. Through you, I can demonstrate my art and expertise in making music for the pictures you made and assist in telling stories. To my friends and clients who have entrusted me with playing piano/keyboard for their bands, events, and film/TV/commercial compositions and piano teaching.
There are so many! I'd like to collaborate with any A list producers, artist, composers and to learn from them about the industry and had a chat with them about how they get started and how they make it now. That will be so dope.
"Success is not final, failure is not deadly," Winston Churchill once stated, "it is the willingness to persist." Success in every area of life is measured in modest increments, and the definition of success might change over time. As our aims change and as we grow as a person and an artist - and as we learn more about our trade and ourselves and life - it may take on a whole new meaning. Success might also mean something different to various people. I have the positive attitude and confidence to attain my goals and aspirations because I believe in myself. The skills I needed to overcome my anxiety and take chances were being responsible and trustworthy, learning from my failures, and being prudent with what I already had. Taking chances needs bravery, determination, and the ability to set new boundaries. We won't know if we can succeed unless we set new boundaries and sail on larger waters than the ones we're used to.
I intend to write more songs, and in my working life, I wish to interact with brilliant individuals and produce significant art through music. As a teacher and educator, I'd like to expand my business and support my aspirations, to eventually open a performing arts center. I'm ready to take on the next great experience and opportunity that comes my way, no matter how difficult it may be, in my professional and personal lives. I'm always ready for whatever life has in store regarding presents and surprises.
I wish that the structure of music business can be better. For example, artist who creates music can get better pay through the streaming platform, etc.
Holding Strong is a song that I wrote in my darkest & lowest point of my life. I hope this song can resonate to those who are feeling exactly what I was feeling…
(Read more at LIT Talent Awards)
Jesica Yap was embraced by music since her younger days, and it has brought her freedom and grace, elevating her life from all aspects.
Discover the talents of Kevin Gullickson from United States, on his interview related to his winning entry: “Before The Day Is Through”.