Rocky Irvano, born in Makassar in 1988, is an accomplished Indonesian composer who has carved a distinguished path in the realm of film scoring. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from the esteemed Indonesia Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta.

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Rocky's artistic journey took a decisive turn in 2011 when he attended a masterclass by composer Slamet Abdul Sjukur, the founding father of contemporary music in Indonesia. This pivotal experience proved to be a catalyst for his creative development, profoundly shaping his artistic direction and igniting a newfound passion for innovative approaches to music composition. The encounter served as a springboard for Rocky's burgeoning ideas, pushing him to explore uncharted territories within the realm of musical expression.

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Freshly graduated from ISI Yogyakarta, Rocky embarked on his professional journey at Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), a leading Indonesian television network. Here, he honed his versatility, composing music for diverse programs like "X-Factor," "Masterchef," and "Miss World," solidifying his place in the industry.

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Driven by a thirst for further knowledge, Rocky pursued a Master's Degree in Composition for Screen at the prestigious Royal College of Music (RCM) in London in 2017. The Boltini Trust Scholarship, supported by The RCM and The Henry Wood Accommodation Trust, enabled him to focus on his academic pursuits. Under the guidance of renowned educators like Howard Davidson and Vasco Hexel, he mastered the field of film scoring while simultaneously delving into a supplementary area of study—namely, Electroacoustic. Under the mentorship of Michael Oliva, a highly respected instructor, he systematically explored the intricate nuances of Electroacoustic composition.

 

This academic journey led Rocky to seamlessly integrate avant-garde electroacoustic approaches into his film scoring. In his second RCM year, he skillfully transformed pre-recorded instruments to create new sounds, drawing inspiration from leading figures like Kaija Saariaho, Jonathan Harvey, Jonty Harisson, and Trevor Wishart.

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Further enriching his expertise were immersive workshops, masterclasses, and engaging talks led by luminaries like Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Harry Gregson-Williams, Walter Murch, George Fenton, Richard Bellis, and other notable professionals. These experiences, alongside Rocky's unwavering dedication, culminated in the successful completion of his Master's Degree in Composition for Screen with Distinction.

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Returning to Indonesia, Rocky joined Stevesmith Music Production, where he continues to make significant contributions to the film industry. He remains captivated by the possibilities of integrating electroacoustic elements into film scoring, particularly within the horror genre, as evidenced in projects like "Mangkujiwo 1 & 2," "Ritual The Series," and "Kuntilanak 3."

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Rocky has collaborated with a range of international filmmakers and animators, including Steve Roberts, Zhiyi Wang, Zhanfei Song, Prospero Pensa, and Avishkar Chettri. One notable collaboration was with Zhanfei Song, earning recognition at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival. Additionally, his work on Zhiyi Wang's short film "Spring 23" won the Grand Prize at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival and the FIPRESCI Prize.

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In 2023, Rocky embarked on groundbreaking collaborations, including an advertisement project with director and renowned photographer Anton Ismael for the energy drink Kratindaeng, and scoring Rizal Mantovani's highly anticipated horror film, "Kereta Berdarah," scheduled for release in February 2024.

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Beyond his flourishing film scoring career, Rocky serves as the Coordinator of the Composition Department at Pelita Harapan University, nurturing the next generation of musical talent. He passionately shares his knowledge and expertise in composition and film scoring, solidifying his role as a trailblazer who seamlessly blends tradition with innovation in the captivating world of film scoring.