WHEN singer, dancer and creative artist Salote Naulumatua released her first single Future Me on YouTube, it became more than a song. It became a reflection of her life, her faith and her creative path.
Strongly influenced by the late Alan Alo, the artistic director of the USP’s Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture, Naulumatua says she pressed all the right buttons that helped nurture what had been slowly brewing inside while growing up.
“Meeting Alan helped me to understand my core purpose, to share love and understanding through my art forms, and I am extra grateful for his precious life he exuded,” she said.
Among her career highlights, one moment has stood out.
“After winning the contemporary co-choreographer spot alongside the genius Sopa Pelu Fatiaki, we choreographed an hour-long dance production for our nine contemporary dancers,” she said.
At that show, they performed a spontaneous duet.
“That felt so alive while trusting in our own abilities as dancers. That was just magical. I love improvisations. Just magic.”
Naulumatua was born at the CWM Hospital on November 1, 1980, and her childhood shifted between England and Fiji.
“Family dynamics as a child were quite colourful being raised in a nuclear family in the first five years of my life in England, and then with extended family for four years in Fiji, and then back to being a nuclear family.”
Those shifts shaped her sense of responsibility and adaptability, being the eldest of six — four brothers and two sisters.
Life changed when she turned 13.
“It was interesting because from the age of 13, my dear parents’ lives took a different turn, so I decided to try and be the best big sister I could be to assist in their healthy growth, setting rules so there was peace and understanding in the house amid the confusing situation we were in as a family.”
Naulumatua remembers afternoons of playing pani, tyre rolling, cycling and vei vidi (Carrom)with her siblings.
“I would even sometimes put on small singing and dance is performances to keep us entertained and our spirits up.
“At the same time, I made some horrible mistakes with how I handled my siblings verbally, spiritually and physically.”
Those years provided her with life lessons she still carries.
“It taught me to have faith, courage and responsibility for what I believe in, and wisdom for the responsibility I had put on myself to be a great big sis.”
But those years also gave her a chance to visit the creativity that runs strongly through her family.
“I enjoy spending time with my children and family,” she says, adding she often returns to the skills taught by her late grandmother: crocheting, screen printing, tie-dying and sewing.
But beyond those crafts, her heart remains tied to the stage.
“Singing, writing, and composing dances and choreographing, along with working on my self-discovery and spiritual alignment and journey with God,” she says, adding her creative work is inseparable from her faith.
“I am most proud of where I am today, with still choosing to follow my heart and passion in understanding my continued growth and purpose as a creative human.
“I joined the USP Oceania Dance Theatre to be enlightened through my passion and expression for dance.”
These days she continues to focus on personal and spiritual awareness.
“Zooming in on understanding myself and how I choose to do things for my personal spiritual growth so that I can easily execute my purpose to the best of my ability.
“By being my own inspiration, I can continue to fully live as me in the now and for the future, so I can also effectively assist the spiritual future of my children.
“I trust in myself to achieve what I desire to embrace.”
Amid her journey, Naulumatua says her hardest lesson has been learning to trust herself.
“It’s hard to trust in myself without knowing what will happen next.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to record more music and create more visual work.
“I look forward to recording and releasing the many more songs and video clips to go with, and to enjoy life more with pure intentions.”
She also hopes to honour her late father, make her mother proud, and “help the needy”.
Her travel dreams include Jamaica and Japan, but the centre of her plans remains creativity and spiritual growth.
And her legacy?
“To be remembered for the level of spirituality I exuded in my physical life here in this beautiful country.”
