Nathania Karina, Conductor on Palace Stage

ARSIP PRIBADI NATHANIA KARINA

Nathania Karina

Before appearing on stage at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Independence Day, Nathania Karina, 37, was faced with the question: “What dress should a female conductor wear?” She chose a modest Balinese-style kebaya (long-sleeved blouse). She didn’t want attire that looked masculine to “fit” her purpose of conducting the choir group, Gita Bahana Nusantara.

“What’s important is the clothing doesn’t encumber me on stage,” said Nathania “Nia” Karina, laughing, on Thursday (25/8/2022).

Nia is the first female conductor of the Gita Bahana Nusantara (GBN) Orchestra and Choir.

The GBN comprises 199 teenagers who represent the country’s 34 provinces. Of the total, 68 are instrumentalists while the 131 others are vocalists. The GBN performed at the House of Representatives plenary session on 16 Aug. 2022 at the legislative building in Senayan, Jakarta.

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They also performed during the recitation of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence at Merdeka Palace on the morning of 17 Aug. 2022 and again that afternoon, during the lowering ceremony of the Merah Putih (red and white) national flag at the palace. The members of the GBN choir took to the stage on Indonesian Constitution Day at the legislative building.

The GBN and composer Purwacaraka, who is also a patron of the musical ensemble, even became a trending Twitter topic on 17 Aug. 2022.

The GBN’s performances have received wide and positive appreciation this year. The GBN and composer Purwacaraka, who is also a patron of the musical ensemble, even became a trending Twitter topic on 17 Aug. 2022. Purwacaraka said Nia had given new color to GBN.

“Actually, there should be no difference when an orchestra is conducted by a woman or a man. The sound and quality should be equally fine. But I received some input from performers that I’ve only just realized, is this the feminine power, right?” said Purwacaraka, who has a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University in the United States.

Nia has assumed the positions of an elder sister and a mother to the group she directs. The attention she gives to its members takes various forms, such as asking them to drink water during breaks.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Nathania Karina

She also distributes chocolates and other snacks, as well as short notes. This has surprised GBN members, who thought that a conductor was only responsible for directing them during a performance.

“[Doing so] might spread warmth among the members, so the voice they produce is also full of enthusiasm. I think it’s a type of leadership that distinguishes between women and men,” said Nia.

Learner

While she was proud of joining the GBN, Nia feared that she would be unable to maintain the group’s high reputation. To overcome this, Nia decided to take the approach of a student. She learned many things, watching video recordings of previous GBN shows.

Nia also consults and has discussions with the GBN patrons and the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry, which supports the GBN. “One shouldn’t be shy in life [to ask questions and learn]. The learning spirit should be maintained,” she said.

This is a mantra for Nia, who also teaches music at the Andante Music School in North Jakarta, which was founded in 2007. In addition to teaching, Nia also manages the Trinity Youth Symphony Orchestra and Trust.

She is also active with the Musicmind Foundation, which focuses on music education and published three piano books during the Covid-19 pandemic. The books contain a selection of children’s songs arranged to match different skill levels.

According to Nia, one issue in music education is low trust in the learning process. Some people focus on gaining musical skills quickly or winning music contests. In fact, the essence of learning music is in the process.

“As music instructors, we often feel sad when parents ask, ‘In a month, what contest can my child join?’ or ‘What songs will they be able to play?’ Our country is indeed familiar with instant noodles, but our education must not be instant,” she said.

Music could also become a means of self-expression when the children grew up.

The benefits learning music, Nia went on, were not limited to trophies or certificates. There were other “rewards” to be gained, such as good motor coordination and joy. Music could also become a means of self-expression when the children grew up.

“I’ve always told [my] students not to pursue certificates only. The essence of studying [music] is whether you get the science or not. Certificates have to be balanced with moral responsibility, which involves skill,” she added.

Engineering dream

Nia originally aspired to become a physicist, chemist or architectural engineer. She changed her mind and chose music as her university major when she was in her final year of senior high school. Her parents opposed the decision Nia made “at the last minute”. They were anxious about the future of their daughter in a musical career.

Nia’s piano teacher helped explain the career opportunities in music. On the other hand, she proved herself by winning a full scholarship to pursue her undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore, Singapore. Finally, her parents agreed.

Now, Nia is committed to helping her students who are having the same experience as she did. “I will talk to their parents if necessary. This is because a teacher’s duty is not only to teach skills, but also to be a mentor and partner of discussions that can hopefully open a path for students.”

ARSIP PRIBADI NATHANIA KARINA

Nathania Karina

Her role as the first female conductor of the GBN 2022 is also expected to inspire students and parents. She has set the precedent of a conductor dressed in kebaya that took to the stage at Merdeka Palace, where melodious music wafted through the silence with the wave of her hands.

Nathania Karina

Born: Jakarta, 15 Feb, 1985

Husband: Christofer Tjandra

Education:

- Bachelor in music, National University of Singapore (class of 2007)

- Master’s degree, University of Melbourne (class of 2009)

- Doctorate, Boston University (class of 2017)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira).