Indonesia
Little Composer Clarissa Aurelia
She doesn’t just practice piano. Clarissa Aurelia Sugianto puts her name on the composer class at five and starts writing her own song at six.
Is it true that you already used to listen for the sound of piano since before you were even born?
Mom told you that? Well, she teaches piano. She has been teaching for 25 years, since high school. When she had me, mom was still active teaching and playing almost every day. So yes, i have been accustomed to the sound of piano since before i was even born, hahaha.
When did you start learning piano?
When i was three years old. But everyone can see that i have the talent far before that. Mom used to tell the story, when i was one, i already figure out the tone for “Balonku Ada Lima” in piano. I didn’t know anything about tone back then. Couldn’t tell which one is do, re, mi and such.
Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree then.
Hehehe.
Was it mom your first piano teacher?
Sure thing. And when at five, there was an audition at Sekolah Musik Yamaha owned by Yayasan Music Indonesia for talented kids who wanted to take special composition class. I took it and got accepted.
Until today?
Until today. But i only take composition class and electone there.
Electone?
Yes, it’s organ. In Japan (home of Sekolah Musik Yamaha) people call it electone because it has more voice and beats.
But the piano lesson stays with mom?
At seven, i started private lesson with Mrs Soo Kiem Hwie, mom’s piano teacher. Mom asked her to train me. At first Mrs Soo refuses because she never handle kids. Her students are teachers. She was afraid i would cry if she teaches me. The lady is very strict. But after the test, she agrees to accept me.
Entering composition class at three, so now you already make songs?
Only three so far. The first i composed when i was six. It’s “Sandal Berjalan” (“Walking Slippers”).
“Sandal Berjalan”?
Yup, it’s about magic slippers that can walk anywhere it likes and dance by its own. Girls usually compose songs about princess and kingdom stuffs. But i like imagining walking slippers. It’s got happy music too, typical children.
Do you keep the song for yourself or play it in front of people?
Oh, i’m always proud to play my song. The first time i take competition, i played “Sandal Berjalan” at national Electone Idol 2008. Not only winning, i got Audience Award with that song.
Awesome. Other songs?
Same thing. The second is “Little Witch”. I played it when performing at Junior Original Concert 2010 national level in Bali. The third is “Wondering Beyond Purin”, i played at 2012 Junior Original Concert in Pekanbaru.
Did you win too?
No, no, it’s not a competition. Junior Original Concert is a musical show where we play our song instead of someone else’s. The ticket was open for public. It was a very strict filtering to perform there. I really trained hard every day to midnight.
Where did you get the idea for the songs?
Books. Aside piano, books are my other favorite. Check out my bedroom, it’s full of book. I have just about any Enyd Blyton’s book. I’ve got the idea for the “Little Witch” from the book. Quite different with “Wondering Beyond Purin”. The idea came to me thanks to the vacation to Hongkong Disneyland in 2010.
I saw your concert video on YouTube, when you performing at 2010 Asia-Pacific Electone Festival. It’s a great show and you are still looking very cute there..
Thanks. It was in Taiwan. People were coming from Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. I got cold feet on the backstage because it was my first time performs abroad. Yes, i looked chubby there, right? Hahaha.
And very childish look..
Right. I was eight at that time. The youngest and smallest. The committee from Japan had to order extension pedals because my feet were too short. Since the first time the event was held from 1970 to 2010, i was the youngest participant ever perform. I played Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow”.
How do you prepare for such grand world class performance?
Wow, don’t ask. It was superhard exercise. The audition was like layer after layer after layer. First, one must triumph at musical schools level that apply Yamaha curriculum. Then the regional level, national level and finally got selected to represent Indonesia. It was a very intense training, 2-3 hours a day. And every day, the training session must be sent to the committee in Japan via e-mail. I was being monitored every day for the development. Got corrected for any mistake. Everything must be perfect.
Hard to imagine that…
So i say. Hahaha!
Which performance was the most impressive for you?
Ermm… Which one? I think it’s the last one at 2014 Malaysian Youth Orchestra Foundation (MYOF) in Kuala Lumpur. I met an old friend from 2010 Asia-Pacific Electone Festival in Taiwan. His name was Kong Zie Lik from Malaysia. He’s eight years older so he wasn’t my competitor because we were in different category. It’s nice to have reunion after four years from Taiwan.
Are you going to be serious at piano, like mom?
Yup! I’ve decided to stop ballet since two years ago. I want to go to college like my brothers in Tianjin Conservatory of Music, China. One of them has returned to Surabaya and opens IM Music School.
Your hard work and persistence must inspire a lot of Indonesian kids. Good luck, Clarissa.
Thanks.
BIOFACT
Name: Clarissa Aurelia Sugianto
‪Birth: Surabaya, November 3 2001
‪School: Grade 8 Cita Hati Christian School Surabaya
‪Parents: Hasan Sugianto and Naniek Tandio
Siblings: Kevin Adrianus and Kenny Febrian
Idol: Umi Garet
‪Achievements:
- First Place at Malaysian Youth Orchestra Foundation (MYOF) 2014 category Young Artist (12-14 years old) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- First Place at Malaysian Youth Orchestra Foundation (MYOF) category Young Artist (9-11 years old) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Perform at Junior Original Concert 2012 national level in Pekanbaru
- Third place at Asia-Pacific Electone Festival 2010 in Taiwan
- Perform at Junior Original Concert 2010 national level in Bali
- First place at Electone Festival Indonesia 2010 in Jakarta
- Audience Award in Electone Idol 2008 national level in Jakarta
- Third place at Electone Idol 2008 national level in Jakarta
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
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