A Lineup of Local Artists Who Developed Their Talents from School Stages

Kapanlagi.com - The school stage is not just a place to perform or channel hobbies. For some local artists, high school is actually a crucial phase to discover their passion, hone their skills, and gain the courage to perform in front of many people. Through extracurricular activities like bands, theater, and choirs, many of them began to get to know the arts, which would later serve as a foundation for entering the entertainment industry.

The high school environment is indeed known as an exploration space for young people to get to know music, form bands, perform in public, and find the confidence that will be useful in various fields, including the entertainment world.

Here is a lineup of Indonesian artists who started their careers from the school stage..

1. Anang Hermansyah: Rock Band Vocalist Since High School

Anang Hermansyah rocker since high school (KapanLagi.com)

Anang Hermansyah, who is now widely known as a musician and a judge on talent shows, has actually been involved in music since he was in high school in Jember, East Java. Together with three of his friends, he founded La Vila Rock Band, a rock music group that was quite popular among the youth of Jember at that time.

As the vocalist and frontman, Anang's distinctive high-pitched voice quickly made the group well-known. However, his seriousness in music truly materialized after he continued his studies at Islamic University of Bandung, where he joined a music studio owned by Doel Sumbang, before eventually moving to Jakarta and starting his professional career with the band Kidnap Katrina in the 1990s.

2. Tika Bravani: Finding Passion Through Theater Extracurricular Activities

Tika Bravani participated in theater since high school (KapanLagi.com)

Unlike Anang, who pursued music, actress Tika Bravani found her passion for the world of acting through extracurricular theater activities. Her interest emerged while she was in junior high school at Labschool Kebayoran and continued when she pursued her education at SMA Negeri 70 Jakarta.

Although she took a break from the theater world while studying at the Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia, Tika's love for acting never faded. Her experience in school theater became the foundation for her before she fully entered the entertainment industry through the Abang None DKI Jakarta event in 2009, which paved the way for her acting debut in the film Alangkah Lucunya (Negeri Ini) in 2010.

3. Epy Kusnandar: The Theater Stage as a Starting Point

Epy Kusnandar a theater child since high school (KapanLagi.com)

The late Epy Kusnandar, widely known for his role as Kang Mus in the series Preman Pensiun, also began his artistic journey from the school theater stage while in high school around 1983. His interest in acting, which grew during his secondary school years, was further deepened at the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ) in 1989.

The experience from school theater and workshops like Pantomim Sena Didi and Theater Aristokrat formed a strong foundation for Epy's acting skills before he eventually spread his wings into the world of soap operas and films, earning him a lasting legacy in the hearts of the Indonesian public.

4. Melly Goeslaw: Sharpening Her Voice with Elfa Secioria

Melly Goeslaw joins Elfa Secioria (KapanLagi.com)

Famous singer and songwriter, Melly Goeslaw, also began her musical journey since high school, when she joined a vocal group mentored by legendary composer, Elfa Secioria. It was here that Melly's singing talent began to be honed, marking the start of her serious introduction to the music industry.

Her experience as a backup singer since school eventually led Melly to meet Anto Hoed and Arie Ayunir, two important figures who helped her establish the music group Potret, before she became widely known as the "Queen of Soundtracks" through various iconic Indonesian film theme songs, including Ada Apa dengan Cinta.

5. School Days, A Starting Point That Doesn't Always Have to Be a Career

KapanLagi Pensi Bareng (Credit: KapanLagi.com)

From the four stories above, it is clear that school time, especially during high school, can be the right moment to try and explore in creativity, particularly related to the arts. Whether through bands, theater, or vocal groups, extracurricular activities can indeed serve as a safe space for teenagers to recognize their potential.

However, it is important to remember that not all passions that develop during school need to directly lead to a professional career. For some people, the experience of engaging in the arts during school is enough to provide valuable skills in building self-confidence and social abilities, without always having to end up on the stage of the entertainment industry.

(kpl/gtr)