Music is such a universal language. I have seen people from other nations that can’t speak or understand the English language that become totally engrossed in a concert here in the states. They don’t speak English or even understand the words at times, but they hear the music and they respond with just as much delight as a native would. Why is that? I can only discern that music itself seems to transcend language and culture and it is a powerful medium. Music has the tendency to make us happy or make us sad depending on the melody or rhythms.
I had the awesome pleasure of meeting a Singer/Songwriter who was playing the keyboard at a friend’s wedding renewal ceremony approximately 2 years ago. Her name is Rica Tan and I was simply amazed when I heard this angelic voice that came from this petite young lady.
I later found out that she not only played the piano but she also wrote her own music. Rica Tan seem to light up as she pitted her vocals against landscapes of strings, organ and twinkling piano sounds coming from her keyboard. Rica was playing a cover song and made it her own and I remember thinking as fingers tickled the ivories, that this is a gift that needs to be shared with the world.
Rica Tan is the second daughter of three children. Growing up in Jakarta, Indonesian in a devout Christian family, she couldn’t help but be influenced by Christian music. Rica began taking classical piano lessons at the age of 5 until she was 15 and then transitioned into other genres such as pop and jazz.
Rica started writing songs at the age of 13 and loved music so much that she taught herself the acoustic guitar at the age of 15. Once Rica completed high school, she enrolled in college at the University of Pelita Harapan where she studied Social and Political Science. Rica pursued her passion for music in Jakarta, Indonesia as she joined various local bands and was a lead keyboard player and backup vocalist and performed at many cafes and hotels.
Due to Rica’s diverse musical background, the idea of a minimalist concept with a unique dynamic becomes the breath and life of her music. Rica has brought all of her classical, pop and even jazz influences into her first Christian CD called “Enough”. She has a passion for the emotional songwriting, and the atmospheres of artists such as Adele, Lenka, Norah Jones, Sara Bareilles, and Colbie caillat. Some of Rica’s Christian artist influencers are Hillsong and Israel Houghton.
In 2008 Rica Tan moved to Atlanta, GA, where she was anxious to find the answer of “why God led her to The United States”? In January 2009, the journey began and God started revealing step by step what her future would look like. During that year, Rica met the man that would become her husband, Devin. Suddenly, Rica was offered a job by an Indonesian church based in Los Angeles, CA. Rica moved to Los Angeles and had a long distance relationship with her then boyfriend Devin for almost one year.
While Rica was in Los Angeles she was a Music Director in the JKI Church; while she still performed with various groups. Rica had the awesome privilege of performing at the Inland Empire Gospel Festival 2009. She also participated in the Fullerton Theology Seminary Open Worship event.
In the latter part of 2009, Rica moved back to the Atlanta area with invaluable experience gained during her stay in Los Angeles. Since that time, Rica has been involved in several commercial music projects. Rica wrote and composed two jingles for Franks and Toppings, in Texas, and has showcased her musical talent at the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Southeast Chapter-Indonesian American Chamber of Commerce Dinner. One of her songs called “Who Am I” became one of the sound tracks in an Indie Movie titled “ Grey Area” produced by IFGF Church Atlanta.
Rica Tan was a worship leader and as a keyboard player at Bethany Atlanta Church and is currently involved in North Point Community Church and the Gwinnett Church Music Ministry. Deep in her heart, Rica knows that she has a greater calling to the Nations and while she waits to be processed she is enjoying the journey to her purpose.
Rica’s latest project “Enough” will be officially released on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. “Enough will be available on iTunes, Amazon and at http://www.ricatan.com/ .
