Creative ID: 786
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I specialise in teaching children from pre-school to high school in the Art of Pasifika Dance. I am not confined to teaching just my own cultural (Cook Island/Niue) dances but have the skill and knowledge to teach a diverse range from various Islands in the Pacific Region. Recognising that our treasured youth in the community may not have access to or knowledge on how to connect with their cultural identity, I endeavor to guide and bridge that gap through Pasifika Dance and music. For children, I believe this is a great way to start and nurture that seed. Teaching and embracing a wide range of cultural dances, allows for children from different backgrounds, Pasifika or not to connect with one another to learn, understand and appreciate each individual Island and its uniqueness.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner
- 2002 - Ei Polynetia - Professional Polynesian Dance Group. Performed at Porta Ventura, Spain in the Polynesian Village for 8 months.
- 2022 - Milestone Family Event, 70th Birthday. Lead Director/Organiser of the whole event. Lead teacher of children's dance items for entertainment.
- 2022 - Culture Day at a local primary school. I taught kids Cook Island Ura and drumming (September)
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2022 – a location Christmas parade. Lead organiser and creator of a Pasifika themed float. Family members and our children danced to various Pasifika songs. Won 2nd prize in our first year of participation.
2023 - Family wedding. Lead Director/decorator of event. Teacher/Organiser of children's dance items for entertainment.
2023 - Fusion Pasifika Northland. My children performed Cook Island dances taught by myself. They also danced with our Niuean Community on the day.
2023 - Children's Day Whangarei. Curator/teacher of a 15 min Pasifika Dance Performance on stage. My three children performed Cook Island dance items.
2023 - Waipu Easter Carnival. Lead Director/creator of a 25-min Pasifika Dance Performance. Lead teacher of children's items.
2023 - Fale Pasifika Dance Academy - Creator/visionary and dance tutor.
2023 - Bream Bay High Pasifika Dance tutor.
2023 - Volunteer Fair Whangarei. Curator/teacher of a 15-min Pasifika Dance Performance. - 2023 - Fale Pasifika Dance Academy FiaFia night. Lead Director/creator.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
Being a mother of four children, my youngest three are continuously taught Pacific Island dancing; you could say they were my first students. Typical of a large family, I have many nephews and nieces. At special family events it is always Aunty who teaches our tamariki cultural items for entertainment on the day. A local Pasifika Dance Academy is my vision and newly formed group which I currently tutor. Alongside my two daughters, who have been vital in sharing our Pacific Island dance here in Te Tai Tokerau, I teach a group of 50 students whose ages range from 4 to 15yrs old. I also teach Pasifika Dance at a local high school. Some of these students which includes my daughter are also members of the my Pasifika Dance Group. I have a great rapport with our local pre-school centre. On a couple of occasions I have taken my children here to perform cultural items where participation is warmly encouraged and thoroughly enjoyed. Culture Day at my children's primary school was also a key event. Teaching the entire school how we dance in the Cook Islands was a beautiful experience.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
First and foremost I love everything about our Pacific Island culture and its arts and crafts that intertwine naturally with our unique and beautiful dances. I want to share my passion of these things not only to my own children but to other children within our community. Secondly, there is an absolute need for what I do in the area I reside in. I aim to reach our Pasifika children ,who like myself were not raised in a cultural or musically orientated Pacific family and therefore may have little to no knowledge of their Pasifika roots.
Teaching dance will not only serve to connect children to their own cultural identity, their language, their music and customs but they will also learn skills such as confidence, resilience, social interaction and coordination. I also aim to reach those who have never been exposed to the beauty of our dances. To have the privilege to plant that seed where it is needed; to nurture it and watch it flourish is the ultimate goal.