Sharing Knowledge for Free

For Azi Rianto, something was missing. The 26-year-old had been working in the information technology division at Medan State Polytechnic for three years. But he felt it was not his true calling. Music, especially the guitar, was his real love. "But my family wondered how I would make a living doing that. There is no future in it," Azi said. Medan's music scene left a lot to be desired. There were fewer bands than in Jakarta and other large cities. "My friends said that at best, musicians here end up becoming teachers if they want to earn money."

Azi received some clarity two years ago. He attended a free music class organized by Akademi Berbagi (the Sharing Academy). The speaker was Widi Asmoro, a practitioner in music and entertainment. Widi explained the ins and outs of the music industry and opened Azi's eyes. "I learned that music is not just about playing a musical instrument. There are many other people working behind the scenes," he said.

August 19, 2014