Isyana Sarasvati is one of the most influential Indonesian female musicians of her generation, who has been through a myriad of transformations from a promising artiste in classical and opera music to having achieved a successful career in pop music. A talented multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, electone, flute, violin, and saxophone; Isyana graduated with excellent results from the Diploma in Music Performance, with a major in Vocal studies in 2013. She received a scholarship to pursue her undergraduate studies in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) programme at NAFA, conferred by the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London. She also received the RCM Musical Excellence Award during her final year of degree studies and topped the degree cohort to receive the coveted Embassy of Peru Award during the convocation in 2015.
Isyana launched into the pop music scene with her debut album Explore! In 2015, which was a massive hit and skyrocketed her career. She has since received more than 55 awards for her musical prowess, including the AMI Awards, the Billboard Awards, the Piala Maya and many others. She has also received international recognition, including the Rolling Stones Awards in 2016 in the category of Phenomenal, as well as the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2016 for Best Asian Artist Indonesia and Best Composer of the Year in 2017. Notably, she was featured in Forbes Indonesia's 30 Under 30, and a year later, honoured yet again by Forbes Asia's 30 Under 30 in the Entertainment & Sport category. In 2020, she established her own record label, REDROSE RECORDS.
Predicating on her impressive educational background and achievements in the music industry, Isyana was one of the judges and coaches on The Voice Indonesia 2019, The Voice Kids Indonesia 2021, and The Voice: All-Stars 2022. It is her life mission to discover and nurture the next generation of great singers in Indonesia.
In addition to her musical career, Isyana is also actively involved in social outreach programmes such as ‘Abuse is not love’, a global initiative with the aim of combating violence in relationships with couples. She also regularly participates in charity events around Indonesia.
Isyana maintains her close ties with her alma mater, NAFA and have returned to perform in the Concert Series: Gloria at Victoria Concert Hall as soprano solo in 2016, as well as the Academy’s first-ever full-scale opera production, “Die Fledermaus: The Revenge of the Bat” in celebration of NAFA’s 80th anniversary in 2018.
The medal is conferred to outstanding NAFA alumni who have contributed to excellence in the arts and design as well as the development of the arts scene in Singapore. This award is to accord them further recognition for their achievements.
The medal was presented for the first time in 2009.