Rica Tan Speaks with Associated Content from YAHOO!

This month I am interviewing artist around the world. When I was a child growing up in the Bronx, New York, I use to play the organ and thought music was the most wonderful thing. Although I always wanted to play an instrument, I just couldn't seem to remain fully committed to that pursuit. However, I was fully able to express my heart through writing and praise and worship music.

I recall listening to Frankie Crocker on WBLS in New York and thinking to myself, "Lord I want to do that"! My passion became music, so it was no wonder that I found myself on the air as a radio announcer for the past ten years. I had never taken one class in Broadcasting, but quickly realized that picking up a microphone was as natural as breathing to me. As an artist I it always warms my heart to see all of the wonderful gifted artist and musicians that we have in our world. There is just something about music and how it has the ability to move you to tears or to dance. That's a very powerful gift!

Today, we are going to learn about an International Musician called Rica Tan. I met Rica earlier this year when a friend of mine renewed her wedding vows and Rica was her musician. Rica is a worship leader at a local church in Georgia. However, when I heard her play at the wedding I attended in February, I was blown away. Her voice is like that of angel and the way she plays keyboard literally took my breath away! In June I invited Rica to perform at my "New Wine" conference and I was in awe when she sung a couple of her original pieces. The songs simply lifted our souls in the building. I could feel her spirit in a real and tangible way and I thought to myself, "This young lady is going to do great things"! I recently caught up with Rica and here is what she had to say.

YAHOO: Hi Rica! It's so great to be able to speak with you again

RT: Hi Karen! It is my pleasure as well.

YAHOO: Rica, let's start at the beginning. Can you tell our audience where you are from and a little about your life growing up?

RT: Alright, I am from Jakarta, Indonesia, which is the capital city. My parents, who are not musician, introduced me to music when I was 5 years old. They enrolled me in various classical piano courses throughout my childhood.

YAHOO: When did you know you had a gift?

RT: At that time, I already knew that music is the best way to express my feeling and emotions. I wrote my first song at the age of 11. At the time, I was in a room without sound of television or music from the radio. It was a really quiet room. For some reason, I started hearing melodies playing inside of my head, within my mind the melodies kept repeating for several minutes. I immediately ran to my keyboard, trying to figure out the notes that I "heard".

YAHOO: How were you able to develop it?

RT: I am really not so sure about it. But the melody and the lyric always go through my head. When I feel discouraged, when I feel alone...Music really helps me to express what I feel.

YAHOO: I understand that you are currently a Minister of Music (Worship Leader) at a church in Georgia? Tell us a little bit about how you answered the call to Music Ministry and when Christ became real in your life?

RT: Right now, I minister in Atlanta Bethany Indonesian church as a keyboardist and worship leader. I had a lot of things going on at that time and to answer about how I answered my call to Music Ministry, well I did so in 1999. I was primarily a keyboardist at that time. I couldn't tell I was called until a couple preachers who didn't know that I'm a church musician gave prophecy to me about how much God loves my music, the way I wrote all my music. They all said that God wanted me to bless others through my music.

When Christ became real in my life? Hhhmm.. .. It's a long long journey I guess. God has revealed Himself to me in so many ways... He is in control of my life and watches over me but I accept Christ when I was 12 and He has taken me from one level to another.

I was living in LA last year and I had a great opportunity to know God more than before. At that time, I often spent time alone just to figured out what He really wants from my ministry. I think that's the best moment that I knew who is the real Christ in my life. He spoke to me, He light my ways, and He's alive!

YAHOO: I recently had the opportunity to see you compete in a talent show in Georgia. Tell me how you felt about performing in front of that large audience?

RT: haha... It's a privilege for me honestly. Because this is the first time I went to a music competition and me and my partner were one of the finalist. I felt excited of course, a little bit nervous because English is my second language. I'm afraid that I could mess up but it was a great experience.

YAHOO: Are you currently working on any new projects? If so, when can we expect a new CD?

RT: Yes. But not this year. One of the judges who saw me and my friend gave us the opportunity to do a couple things in my music. So, we will try to do something new soon. We will make a mini album with 3 or 4 songs on it. Video Clip and the CD release in a small concert. I will let you know definitely.

YAHOO: Where can people find you on line Rica?

RT: I have a Facebook Artist account and you can search by using my name, Rica Tan. Once you find my Facebook Artist page, you can add me and follow a link to my YouTube channel. The name of my YouTube channel is FaithnLovEnHope.

YAHOO: What kind of advice would you give artist about how to pursue their dreams?

RT: Never Give up and Always dream! No matter what it cost. Take God in into your dream. Keep hoping and pray, but do something! Soon or later your time will come. I really love this quote; "Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

YAHOO: Rica, thanks so much for speaking with us today and I pray that you keep reaching for the stars and that God grant you the desires of your heart!

RT: Amen! You're very welcome Karen.. Thank you and I wish all the best things will continue to happen in your life!