John Paul

Bronze Award 2017 Svirel International Chamber Music Competition

“One of Indonesia’s most promising and talented guitarists” – The Beat magazine

“… pendalaman struktural dan musikalitas (John Paul) yang jauh melebihi sekedar jemari menari di atas instrumen membuat karya ini menjadi utuh dan ekspresif” – Kompas newspaper

“[…] talented classical guitarist […] committed to setting the standard for classical guitar in Indonesia […].” – okezone.com

“Paradiesmusik am Mittag[…]” – Domradio.de

“[…] with his guitar being more than a mere display of virtuosity […]” – Andystarblogger

Indonesian guitarist John Paul has performed in Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy and Indonesia. He collaborates frequently with Ananda Sukarlan, Indonesia’s most distinguished composer, performing the Indonesian premiere of “The 5 Lovers of Drupadi” for solo guitar, as well as the world premieres of “By the Seaside: Twilight” and “For a Stranger” for guitar and soprano. He has also collaborated with many other musicians on various projects such as renowned Spanish composer David del Puerto, Italian violinist Sara Michieletto (Orchestra da Camera Italiana, first violin of Teatro la Fenice), and renowned Indonesian composer-pianist Elwin Hendrijanto (Tha Piano Brothers) to name a few. He was featured playing guitar duets with fellow Indonesian guitarist, Sudirman Leman, on the CD “Oh I love the Guitar!” produced by Nu Verve Music Entertainment which sold out within just a few months after its release.

John Paul studied with Aniello Desiderio at the Koblenz International Guitar Academy in Germany and then at Conservatorio di Musica “Domenico Cimarosa” in Italy where he also graduated with “massimo dei voti” (110/110) earning a specialist degree in twentieth century music performance under the guidance of Prof. Lucio Matarazzo. While at the academy in Koblenz he also studied in the performance classes held by Prof. Hubert Käppel. In addition, he has performed in the masterclasses of Leo Brouwer, Joaquin Clerch, Goran Krivokapic, Ansgar Krause, Alvaro Pierri, Thibault Cauvin, Ana Vidovic, Miguel Trapaga Sanchez and Gerhard Reichenbach to name a few.

As a dedicated educator, he was a member of the guitar faculty at the Jakarta Conservatory of Music. While in Germany, he taught classical guitar at Musikschule Wagner in Koblenz. He has been invited to give workshops and master classes at Satya Wacana Christian University, Jakarta State University, Gitanada School of Music and Sonora Music School among others.

As a columnist, his articles in various publications including The Jakarta Globe have helped bring many Indonesian musicians to wider public attention. Since 2009, his column is currently published by “NOW!Jakarta” magazine.

Since 2011, John Paul’s annual charity concerts in colaboration with the Full Life Community of Yayasan Biji Sesawi (www.flc-bijisesawi.com) has helped support the education of over 200 children from Jakarta’s slums and poor earthquake-affected areas in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Having come from humble beginnings, he considers himself very fortunate to be among the few Indonesians who can pursue their education and career in music and he is passionate about enabling such opportunities for others like him.  “For a Stranger” for guitar and soprano was composed by Ananda Sukarlan for John Paul’s 2013 charity concert.

Bronze Award 2017 Svirel International Chamber Music Competition

“One of Indonesia’s most promising and talented guitarists” – The Beat magazine

“… pendalaman struktural dan musikalitas (John Paul) yang jauh melebihi sekedar jemari menari di atas instrumen membuat karya ini menjadi utuh dan ekspresif” – Kompas newspaper

“[…] talented classical guitarist […] committed to setting the standard for classical guitar in Indonesia […].” – okezone.com

“Paradiesmusik am Mittag[…]” – Domradio.de

“[…] with his guitar being more than a mere display of virtuosity […]” – Andystarblogger

Indonesian guitarist John Paul has performed in Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy and Indonesia. He collaborates frequently with Ananda Sukarlan, Indonesia’s most distinguished composer, performing the Indonesian premiere of “The 5 Lovers of Drupadi” for solo guitar, as well as the world premieres of “By the Seaside: Twilight” and “For a Stranger” for guitar and soprano. He has also collaborated with many other musicians on various projects such as renowned Spanish composer David del Puerto, Italian violinist Sara Michieletto (Orchestra da Camera Italiana, first violin of Teatro la Fenice), and renowned Indonesian composer-pianist Elwin Hendrijanto (Tha Piano Brothers) to name a few. He was featured playing guitar duets with fellow Indonesian guitarist, Sudirman Leman, on the CD “Oh I love the Guitar!” produced by Nu Verve Music Entertainment which sold out within just a few months after its release.

John Paul studied with Aniello Desiderio at the Koblenz International Guitar Academy in Germany and then at Conservatorio di Musica “Domenico Cimarosa” in Italy where he also graduated with “massimo dei voti” (110/110) earning a specialist degree in twentieth century music performance under the guidance of Prof. Lucio Matarazzo. While at the academy in Koblenz he also studied in the performance classes held by Prof. Hubert Käppel. In addition, he has performed in the masterclasses of Leo Brouwer, Joaquin Clerch, Goran Krivokapic, Ansgar Krause, Alvaro Pierri, Thibault Cauvin, Ana Vidovic, Miguel Trapaga Sanchez and Gerhard Reichenbach to name a few.

As a dedicated educator, he was a member of the guitar faculty at the Jakarta Conservatory of Music. While in Germany, he taught classical guitar at Musikschule Wagner in Koblenz. He has been invited to give workshops and master classes at Satya Wacana Christian University, Jakarta State University, Gitanada School of Music and Sonora Music School among others.

As a columnist, his articles in various publications including The Jakarta Globe have helped bring many Indonesian musicians to wider public attention. Since 2009, his column is currently published by “NOW!Jakarta” magazine.

Since 2011, John Paul’s annual charity concerts in colaboration with the Full Life Community of Yayasan Biji Sesawi (www.flc-bijisesawi.com) has helped support the education of over 200 children from Jakarta’s slums and poor earthquake-affected areas in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Having come from humble beginnings, he considers himself very fortunate to be among the few Indonesians who can pursue their education and career in music and he is passionate about enabling such opportunities for others like him.  “For a Stranger” for guitar and soprano was composed by Ananda Sukarlan for John Paul’s 2013 charity concert.