Daily Inspiration: Meet Jesica Yap

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesica Yap.

Hi Jesica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Indonesia. I am Indonesian by nationality and Chinese by ethnicity. I grew up in a home where music was simply part of everyday life. My three older sisters studied piano, my father taught himself guitar and keyboard, and both of my parents loved to sing. Evenings often turned into informal music gatherings with family friends, where everyone would sing along. Music was never something I consciously chose, it was simply the environment I was raised in.

One of the stories that shaped me most came from my mother. As a young girl in the 1960s, during visits to another town, she would quietly stand outside a neighbor’s home in distance just to listen to someone practicing the piano. In her small hometown, transporting a piano simply wasn’t possible at the time. Instead, my grandmother bought her an accordion. Years later, my mother made sure that all of her children had the opportunity to learn piano. That decision quietly shaped the direction of my life.

I began studying classical piano at the age of six and later explored church music, songwriting, and different musical styles. As a teenager, I wrote my first song, which was eventually recorded on a Christian album. At that time, I had no idea that composing could become a profession I simply knew that creating music felt natural to me.

That realization came during my university years in Malaysia when I discovered the world of film scoring. I remember watching “The Bourne Identity” and being completely captivated by the score by John Powell. It was the first time I truly understood how music could shape the emotional language of a film.

This discovery led me to pursue formal training in film scoring at Berklee College of Music, where I attended on scholarship. During my time there, I was selected to participate in live silent film performances, traveling with my professor and ensemble across Boston, Nantucket, and Rhode Island. Performing and conducting music live alongside film remains one of the most memorable experiences of my early artistic development.

After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a career in composing for visual media. Early in my journey, I interned at Remote Control Productions and later at Sacred Tiger Music, where I had the opportunity to work closely with composer Henry Jackman as well as several other composers in the industry. Those experiences gave me invaluable insight into large-scale film scoring and helped shape the discipline and creative perspective I carry with me today.

Over time, I began building my path as a freelance composer, contributing to independent films that screened at festivals and composing music for orchestras and live performances.

Sometimes I find myself reflecting on the earlier days when creating music was an entirely private ritual. I would sit in my room late at night often until two or three in the morning writing songs in my native language, Bahasa Indonesia, and occasionally in English, with nothing but a piano and whatever emotion happened to visit me that evening. There was no strategy, no timeline, and certainly no expectation. I simply wrote and played until the music felt complete.

During those quiet hours, I also found myself drawn to instrumental writing allowing melodies to speak without words. Those pieces became another form of expression, moments where music could exist purely as sound and feeling.

For a long time, I believed my role in music would remain primarily behind the scenes, composing for visual media and helping bring other creative visions to life. But over time, I realized something important: artistry does not have to exist within a single lane.

While I deeply value collaboration and storytelling through film, there was a part of me that missed expressing my own voice more directly. I began returning to songwriting and instrumental composition, releasing music independently and exploring my identity as a solo artist.
In many ways, this new chapter also reflects the era we live in today. I grew up during the cassette tape and Walkman years, when music felt physical and intimate. Now, in a far more digital world, artists have the ability to share their work instantly across the globe. Embracing that shift allowed me to revisit ideas that had quietly lived in my notebooks and hard drives for years, and to share them with audiences in a new way.

What once felt like private moments at the piano slowly evolved into a renewed artistic voice one that continues to grow alongside my work as a composer, producer, and collaborator.

Life evolves, and so do we.

That realization eventually brought me back to songwriting and producing my own music.
In recent years, I have embraced my voice more fully as an independent artist and producer, releasing music under my name, Jesica Yap (Jesica spelled with one “s”). My songs are available across major streaming platforms, with several accompanied by music videos on my YouTube channel.

At the end of 2025, I released two singles, “My Life Is Fine Without You” and “You Are Beautiful,” songs that explore themes of empowerment, self-worth, and personal growth. Writing and co-producing these works in English which is not my first language was both vulnerable and transformative. I had the privilege of co-producing my songs with my longtime collaborator Julian Chan, a producer and engineer whose creative insight and technical expertise have played an important role in shaping the sound of these recordings.

An interesting detail behind the music video for “My Life Is Fine Without You” connects to an earlier chapter of my life. Growing up, I was also a ballet dancer until a back injury eventually led me to step away from dance. Movement has always remained close to my heart, and while developing the concept for the video, I felt a strong desire to reconnect with that part of myself.

Interestingly, both songs had been sitting quietly on my hard drive for quite some time. I kept waiting for what I thought would be the “perfect moment” to release them. Eventually, I realized that perfect timing rarely arrives on its own sometimes we simply have to create it.

So I released the music and submitted the songs for GRAMMY® consideration. The process itself became a meaningful learning experience. At the beginning of the year, I also had the opportunity to attend several GRAMMY-related events in person for the first time. Being present in that environment, watching artists take the stage and seeing the recognition they have worked so hard for, was incredibly inspiring.

Shortly after their release, “My Life Is Fine Without You” and “You Are Beautiful” were featured on a billboard along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, which felt incredibly surreal. Seeing music that began quietly in my studio appear in such an iconic part of the city’s music and entertainment landscape was a moment I will never forget.

Not long after, my holiday song “Happier This Christmas” appeared on a billboard in “Times Square” , New York during the holiday season. Witnessing these projects reach audiences in places as symbolic as Sunset Boulevard and Times Square was both humbling and inspiring a reminder of how far a song can travel once it leaves the studio and finds its way into the world.

Alongside my work as a composer and recording artist, I also founded “Jesica Yap Music Academy” in Los Angeles, where I mentor students in piano performance, music theory, and composition. Teaching has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Watching young musicians grow in confidence and artistry continually reminds me why I first fell in love with music.

I am honored to be a Steinway Educational Partner, working alongside Steinway & Sons in supporting excellence in music education. Over the years, many of my students have achieved remarkable milestones, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Gläserner Saal, Musikverein Vienna, DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and the Steinway Recital Hall in Beverly Hills. Many have also received distinctions in piano examinations and competitions.

More recently, one of my students whom I had the privilege of coaching received a substantial scholarship to pursue a university degree in songwriting and psychology a moment that was incredibly meaningful for me as a teacher.

Beyond education and composing, I have also had the opportunity to collaborate on projects within the music and entertainment industry, including coaching artist Dove Cameron during the preparation for her music video “Sand.”

Today, my work moves fluidly between composing, producing, performing, teaching, content creation, and collaborating with brands and creatives who share a passion for music, storytelling, and innovation. Each chapter continues to shape my perspective as an artist.

Looking back, my journey has taken me far beyond the room where I first sat at the piano as a child. From Indonesia to Malaysia, Boston, and now Los Angeles, music has quietly guided every stage of my life.

Yet the essence of it remains the same.

It still begins with a simple moment – sitting at the piano, listening, and allowing an idea to unfold.

And I’ve learned that there is rarely a perfect moment to create or to share our work with the world. Sometimes the most important step is simply having the courage to begin. I remain grateful for the many paths music continues to open.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating the creative industry as an artist in a new country requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to continuously grow. Building a network and discovering opportunities takes time, especially when you are far from family and everything familiar.

Through those experiences, I learned how important it is to surround ourselves with the right people, a circle where we feel supported, inspired, and able to be our authentic selves. A strong support system is invaluable, particularly when building a life and career far from home. Just as important is learning to support one another with respect and healthy boundaries, creating relationships that are rooted in encouragement, generosity, and mutual growth.

Along the way, I’ve come to appreciate every step of the journey; the challenges, the lessons, and the unexpected opportunities that appear when we keep moving forward. The creative path rarely unfolds exactly as we imagine, but that unpredictability is part of what makes it meaningful. I remain grateful for the people who have been part of the journey and for the many possibilities that still lie ahead.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work across several areas of the music world as a composer, pianist, songwriter, and educator based in Los Angeles. My work includes composing and producing music, releasing my own recordings as an independent artist, performing, creating digital content, and mentoring young musicians through my studio, Jesica Yap Music Academy.

My background in film scoring continues to shape the way I approach music. I am particularly drawn to storytelling through sound whether that takes the form of instrumental composition, songwriting, or visual music projects. I enjoy allowing each piece of music to develop its own narrative and emotional landscape.

One aspect of my work that I care deeply about is mentorship. Through my academy, I guide students not only in technical piano training but also in developing confidence, creativity, and a long-term relationship with music. Seeing students grow as musicians and individuals is something I am incredibly proud of.

What sets my work apart is the intersection of multiple creative perspectives. My experience spans composition for visual media, songwriting and production as an artist, performance, and music education. Each discipline informs the other. Teaching keeps me connected to the foundations of music, composing challenges my imagination, and performing allows me to share that creative energy with audiences.

As an artist who grew up in Indonesia and now works in Los Angeles, I also bring a cross-cultural perspective to my work. That journey continues to shape how I create, collaborate, and connect with people through music.

At its core, everything I do is driven by a simple belief: music is one of the most powerful ways we can tell stories, build community, and inspire others.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Music has always been a collaborative art form, and I am deeply grateful for the many people and creative communities that continue to support and inspire my work.

For those who would like to support what I do, one of the simplest ways is by listening to and sharing my music. My songs are available across major streaming platforms under Jesica Yap (Jesica spelled with one “s”), and several of my projects also include visual storytelling through music videos on my YouTube channel.

I am always open to meaningful collaborations with artists, filmmakers, producers, dancers, and other creatives who share a passion for storytelling through music. I also enjoy partnering with brands and organizations through creative collaborations and brand partnerships that align with creativity, innovation, and education.

Teaching is another important part of my life. Through Jesica Yap Music Academy in Los Angeles, I work with students in piano performance, music theory, and composition, helping them develop both strong technical foundations and their own artistic voice.

Beyond that, I simply believe in the power of community. Supporting artists can take many forms – attending performances, sharing music, collaborating on creative ideas, or simply encouraging one another along the journey.

Those who would like to connect or collaborate can reach me through social media, where I am most active on Instagram at @jesicayap, or by email at jyap@jesicayap.com.
At the end of the day, music connects us all, and I am always grateful for the people who choose to be part of that journey.

Pricing:

• contact me for pricing at jyap@jesicayap.com (jesica spelled with one “s”).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jesicayap.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesicayap
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesica.jap/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jesicayapofficial

Image Credits
Joanne Leung Photography
DXC Productions
Time Square Photographer