Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte de Mita.
Charlotte, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always been a big part of my life. I remember ever since first grade, every time someone asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’d always say, a singer. Being born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, I explored a diverse range of music. From a young age, I joined a church choir and a show choir, and I studied classical piano. All of these experiences supported my passion not only for singing, but also for performing.
Performing became one of the greatest joys in my life, and while rehearsals were tough, the final performance always made it worthwhile. In my main choir, the Indonesian Children & Youth Choir – Cordana, our emphasis was on promoting Indonesian culture, so we performed songs and dances from all over the country. This experience made me realize how much I love to sing and dance, which led me to join a dance team at school and take dance lessons. It also deepened my appreciation for Indonesian culture, and as I continue striving toward my goals, I always carry my Indonesian identity with me.
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know that music was the path I’d take. Alongside singing, dancing, and playing piano, I also started songwriting. One of my proudest moments was writing all the original songs for my school’s annual musical. This experience was the first time I had my songs sung outside my bedroom, and it showed me the power of storytelling through songwriting. Seeing the actors connect with my songs was incredibly fulfilling, and that experience made me take songwriting more seriously, because through it, I’m able to convey my stories.
Throughout my life, music has always been a source of comfort, whether I’m singing, songwriting, or simply listening. I’ve always been interested in music’s ability to help us process emotions and feel seen. Beyond performing, I also love watching others perform; there’s something so powerful about seeing others share their truth on stage. That feeling of connection, of building community through music, is what keeps me inspired.
Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a degree in music and psychology. Those four years helped me grow as a musician and gave me a deeper understanding of how music brings people together. It strengthened my passion for building community through music, whether as an artist on stage, an audience member, or a collaborator.
Right now, I’m working toward releasing my debut album in 2026. I’m excited to finally begin sharing my story through music, and hopefully, build a community like the ones that have comforted and inspired me along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving from Jakarta to Los Angeles during the pandemic was difficult, emotionally and culturally. I loved the idea of starting from scratch in a new country, but adjusting to a new environment, being far from family and friends, building a new community, and navigating an unfamiliar and competitive industry made the move difficult.
Beyond that, I struggled with finding my musical identity. At times, it felt like I was too far behind my peers, making me doubt whether music was still the path I wanted to pursue. The internal struggles, like imposter syndrome, were difficult to overcome, and I found myself losing sight of my voice and trying to fit myself into molds that weren’t true to me or my music, making music stressful instead of comforting.
However, these struggles taught me a lot. As I worked past it, I realized that growth is never linear. Now I understand that as I continue to grow, I must stay grounded in my values and be consistent even when things feel uncertain. This experience allowed me to step back and reconnect with why I am pursuing music, which allowed me to be more intentional with my work. Eventually, all of this struggle strengthens my initial goal of making music that brings people together, helping them express their feelings and feel seen.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Indonesian-born, Los Angeles-based pop/R&B singer-songwriter. My music is rooted in personal storytelling, cultural identity, and emotional honesty, where I blend vulnerability with strength. My work centers around themes of female empowerment, confidence, self-love, and mental health, because I believe music has the power to comfort, uplift, and make people feel seen, which is a major driving force behind everything I create.
My musical journey has evolved from choral singing and classical piano to contemporary songwriting and performance. I discovered my love for songwriting when I composed music for my school’s annual musical. Since then, I’ve co-written the title song and starred in the short film, “Christmas, I Guess…” (2021), and won the Bronze Award for Best Original Score for “Back to the 8 Count” (2024) from the Independent Shorts Awards. I’m also a GRAMMY U member and a recent graduate from Occidental College, where I studied music and psychology to better understand how music shapes people on both personal and communal levels.
In addition to songwriting and performing, I’ve worked on projects that blend music, creativity, and community, whether through coordinating events, writing blogs, managing social media, or collaborating across disciplines. What sets me apart is my combination of artistic and interpersonal sensitivity. I care deeply that my work is true to me, but also that it resonates with others as a source of comfort and connection.
Throughout my journey so far, I’m most proud of finding my voice, personally and musically. It has taken a lot of self-reflection, trial and error, and courage to stand behind the music I’m creating right now, and I’m excited to continue growing as a person and an artist. Ultimately, I hope to be a strong Indonesian female voice in the industry, using music to uplift and bring people together by sharing stories that anyone can relate to.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I always say, “It’s the little things in life.” Those everyday moments that bring comfort, joy, and connection are what make me happy. Of course, performing and watching concerts are a big part of that happiness because they feed my soul and inspire me to create, reminding me of the power of music to unite people through shared experiences.
But I also find happiness in simple things. For example, getting pictures of my dog, Macchiato, always brings a smile to my face. I love enjoying a sweet treat, such as an iced matcha latte or milk tea, especially on a hot day to chase away the heat. Sharing meals with family and friends and spending quality time with people I care about are also moments that bring me joy.
These small joys ground me and remind me to slow down and enjoy life, especially when things feel overwhelming. They help restore my energy and creativity by reconnecting me to what’s important in life: connection, comfort, and presence.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottedemita/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-de-mita-833381268
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@charlottedemita
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlottedemita?_t=ZS-8yEOO20yOun&_r=1
