25 classical stringed musicians from Sistema Aotearoa and SolFa Music Samoa, along with 16 dancers from Siva Mamana, performed in this year’s Fealofani celebrations last Thursday at Taumeasina Island Resort.

Fealofani—translated as "friendship"—is SolFa Music Samoa’s annual project aimed at strengthening connections among Pasefika-based arts educational programs. The first Fealofani project brought Fijian tenor Mr Justin Hitches to Samoa for a series of public performances in September 2023. Last year, SolFa took Fealofani to Suva, Fiji, to conduct orchestral workshops for the Fiji Police Band and collaborate with the University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre and notable Fijian artists.

Fealofani 2024 consisted of a one-day workshop led by Anne Filimoehala for SolFa Music Samoa students, ranging in age from 8 to mid-forties, and an intense cultural exchange through music led by Ms Filimoehala and SolFa Music Director, Philton Solomona. Sistema Tour Manager and Youth Advisor, Will Kingi, expressed the importance of the two organisations sharing aligned values of discipline, respect, character-building, and education through music—particularly in ensembles and orchestras.

The second part of Fealofani was the public performance, which also featured local dance school Siva Mamana. Tiarney Aiesi, Creative Director of Siva Mamana, shared the growth of her dance school from 3 students to 20 families since its inception. She noted that a love for Samoa is the foundation of her creative practice, enabling many to connect more deeply with their Samoan heritage.

In her welcoming speech, President and co-founder of SolFa Music Samoa, Rosaivitilesaualofaoleola Solomona, reiterated the importance of strengthening Pacific-based initiatives for arts education within the Pacific. She emphasised that public performances are merely the outcome of the interactions, skill-sharing, and resource exchange that form the project's true objectives. Ms Anne Filimoehala, as Sistema Aotearoa Director, wishes to visit Samoa again in the future to solidify the fealofani with SolF

The evening was closed by New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Samoa, Ms Leava’i Ioane, who highlighted the connection between SolFa and New Zealand musicians over the past year and a half. This collaboration began with the Commonwealth Resounds (CHoGM) project involving the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, followed by work with the visiting Auckland Pasefika Secondary Schools Choir for Waitangi Day, and Sistema Aotearoa for Fealofani 2024.

SolFa Music Samoa wishes to thank the following companies, whose support made the collaboration a memorable experience for all musicians involved: Samoa International Finance Authority, Taumeasina Island Resort, National University of Samoa, Business Systems Limited, Apia Insurance Company, Janet’s Samoa, Chada Café, Dawg Professional Audio, Hamo FM, TV5, the Pouono Family, Marfleet Printing and Mailelani. Lastly, thanks to the SolFa community of families and friends who rightly share in the success of yet another event.

SolFa Music Samoa will be featured next at the Annual ANZAC Dawn Service this Saturday, 25^th April.