Seeing the Future of Female Drummers on the Indonesian Music Stage

JAKARTA - The figure of a woman as a drummer is no longer something foreign in the Indonesian music industry. Its regeneration is going well, both in quality and quantity.

If in the past it was only known as Susy Nander (Dara Puspita) in the 1960s and Titi Radjo Bintang in the 2000s, now the mainstream music scene knows popular names such as Jeane Phialsa, Tika Pramesti (Infische Party), to Marsya (VoB).

But behind the hustle and bustle of mainstream music centered in Jakarta, Shelyn Adlyani Hendroharto, a grade 2 SD student from Jayapura, Papua, began to hone his talent and interest in drums.

In the midst of school activities, Shelyn honed her musical skills through various formal classes. For technical deepening, he practiced at the DW Music Course Jayapura, under the guidance of Denisa Budi Irawan.

Drums alone are not enough. Shelyn enriched her musical insight by learning guitar and keyboard at the Cadenza Music Course Jayapura.

"I want to be able to play many musical instruments so that I can entertain my friends," said Shelyn in her statement, Thursday, February 19.

Not only in the classroom. Shelyn is occasionally given the opportunity to perform with the band at a local cafe. Some of the songs played are quite varied, ranging from "Ojo Dibandingke", "Tabola Bale", to other popular songs.

The love for drums comes from several Indonesian female drummers, from Titi Radjo Bintang to Bunga Keinanti (Bunga Bangsa).

"They make me excited to keep practicing and dare to perform," he said.

Inspiration from seniors is a spark for Shelyn to continue to grow and be confident when performing in front of many people.

In addition, Shelyn's appearance behind the drums also shows how the regeneration of female drummers in Indonesia has touched even the land of Papua.

More interesting, music is not the only talent that Shelyn has. At such a young age, coupled with the full support of his parents, he actively practices diving and shooting as a hobby.

The interest in the sport clearly helps. The reason is that Shelyn is required to focus and dare to show the other side of the character who is disciplined and mentally tough.

Shelyn also learned many foreign languages, at least five languages - including English, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean - which are hoped to be her future assets in the global aspect.