Creative Empowerment in Non-formal Education Institution. Case Study: Education System in Rumah Musik Harry Roesli (RMHR)

“Rumah Musik Harry Roesli” (RMHR) was once a non-formal education institution established by late Mr. Harry Roesli – a well-known musician who had struggled for ‘music education for all’ along his life. RMHR is here brought to model a creative education scheme for street-children. This paper is written based on a study on education practices in RMHR and how the aim of street-children empowerment is availed through this education program. The aspects examined for the analysis are: (1) interactions among students and members (2) formulations of learning; and (3) the concept of “empowerment.” Despite inevitable continuous institutional transformation, RMHR as a community has been persistent with the aim of educating musical creativity for street-children. A critical look is put on the institutional transformation of RMHR, such as the inevitable shift toward music industry. The discussion would reveal the nature of public-engagement in a non-formal education and how a street-children is defined.