Mariska Setiawan (@mariska.setiawan), Indonesian classical singer, shares her story and journey on how she become one of the most passionate classical singers in Indonesia and how she co-founded her classical music community, Komunitas Penyanyi Klasik Surabaya to help and teach those who wants to pursue their musical career. Hear her story only on Vooya Stories!

"Being an interior designer is not all about making pretty or instagrammable spots, but you have to become a solution maker who can add unique value and fulfil your clients’ needs.” said Mita Lukardi @mitalukardi, founder of M Design Consultant @mdesign_id. She was determined to become an interior designer when she was in her 2nd year of senior high school. However, her passion in the field actually start way earlier when she was 6 or 7 years old observing her dad. She also shares that being observant of your surroundings helps bring more inspiration to her design. 

Satrio Wibowo, the author of the Chronicles of Willy Flarkies, remembers his inspiration to start writing. He was running from the real life; full of bullying and boring daily activities. He uses his imagination and takes inspiration from JK Rowling for her out of the world imagination and never give up attitude. Nothing is without a struggle, like JK Rowling herself, he had to accept publishers rejecting his work until he got someone that see his work for who he is and takes him to where he is now today.

Meet Thoersi Argeswara, a film composer for some of the finest Indonesian films out there. Starting in 1997, it wasn't always easy for him. Many challenges, career changes and further lessons in classical musics helps him to be where he is today. The ability to understand classical music is also a plus but you don't need it to become a good film composer, "What you need is passion and experience as well as an understanding of the meaning of that movie", said Thoersi.

The world of musical consists of stories and different musics that are well put together to attract audiences into their world. Samples of that includes Les Miserables, the Wicked, Lion King, and more. Since a child, Franceska, an actor and acting coach at the West End, has enjoyed acting and singing. "The fact that we can combine acting and singing while at the same time a story can be told better through the use of music, makes everything perfect" said Franceska. The fact that we can often remember the memories of attending our first musicals means a job well done and a story worth telling

"You have to be nosy about things, who is responsible for this, why does it happen?" said Lilufa, a journalist from the Guardian. Being a journalist gives a lot of new opportunities for people to get exposed to the world, experience new culture, travel the world and hear people's story. Lilufa enjoyes meeting with new people and writing and becoming a journalist allows her to tell people's stories through her writing.

"SFX makeup, for me, is like a recreation. It's like making a drawing, but by using makeup," said Syska La Veggie, a special effects makeup artist (SFX MUA). She started the job from participating in the theater club during college as a makeup artist. And then she proceeded on joining the film industry by being an SFX makeup artist. One of her most challenging projects was when she was called to join a movie project right the day before. Having yet to read the script, when asked to create a beard, she improvised by cutting bits and bits of hair from the film crews.

"The make-up artist career can't be pursued half-heartedly. Because every second, every effort, and every thought--it's all in your hands," said Talia Subandrio, a Film & Commercial Makeup Artist (MUA). One day, months after getting her bachelor's degree in arts and working as a graphic designer and fashion stylist, Talia decided that she needed to find her true calling and joined a makeup course. She pursued the makeup artist career by doing freelances and finally getting called for big projects, such as magazine photo-shoots and advertisement creating. She usually spends her time by working on projects and working on her portfolio when she is not, from Monday to Sunday.

Rivo Pahlevi (@rivopahlevi) is a reporter and journalist for Trans7, who unexpectedly pursued being a journalist through an open opportunity and to this day, continues to listen and tell the stories of others locally around Indonesia since 2013. Although he expresses that becoming a journalist involves a whole set of processes, the outcome is most definitely a pay-off for all the hard work and labour done. To know more about his story, continue on over!

Meet Josh Marcy, a contemporary professional dancer, working independently and sometimes, with dance studio companies. He started off majoring in law, but set dancing aside as a little escape. Later in the future, however, Josh discovers that dancing is, indeed, his calling and by the end, pursued his true passion in life.

Choreography is a difficult profession to do as it requires both teaching abilities and patience. Josh Marcy (@josmarcy) is an independent choreographer and contemporary dancer who takes pride in creating choreographies for different dancers and associations. The thrill of dancing is Josh’s biggest passion, which resulted in him turning it from his hobby to his profession.

Andrew Suryono is an aspiring photographer who aims to inspire people to take small actions for the environment through his photographs. Having worked with National Geographic, SONY, and other governmental organizations, he continues to inspire and make everybody's lives through his lenses, whether it be through magazines or online platforms. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and he believes in creating small and consistent changes.

"I think the more important thing is the skill: how we create compositions, how we decide on which colors to use, how we deliver our ideas deliberately by using metaphors and many more. That skill-learning process is timeless," said Dion MBD, a professional illustrator. Dion usually creates enticing illustration for publications, such as books, advertisements, magazine editorials, and many more. Dion stated that he needs to learn various styles in order to be a versatile illustrator. He wished that those who want to be an illustrator will continue training in drawing and illustrating, even up to 8-9 hours a day, because it will all be worth it.