FOR Siteri Natera, music has never been just about performing on stage.
It has always been about sharing, teaching and inspiring others.
The Fiji Corrections Service Band vocalist traces her musical journey back to her childhood, growing up in a large family where music was part of everyday life.
Originally from Bua in Vanualevu, Siteri was raised in a home where singing and playing instruments came naturally, surrounded by relatives who lived and breathed music.
“I was brought up in a music background,” she said.
The 12th of 14 children, Siteri grew up watching her siblings and relatives nurture their musical talents.
Her uncle, Elia Vuwai, was among those who inspired her, while her older brother, Thomas Natera, would later become known throughout Fiji as a member of the popular band Paradise Roots.
Coming from the islands of Lau, where family ties and cultural traditions remain strong, Siteri said music became a way of bringing people together.
“It was more than entertainment, it was a gift that could be shared with others.”
Her first experiences with music came through the Salvation Army Church, where she learned the fundamentals of performing and playing instruments.
“I played in a band starting from church, the Salvation Army Church.”
Like many young musicians, she began by learning different instruments before eventually finding her place in the brass section.
“We used to learn all instruments and the bandmaster would see which one was suitable for you.
“So, I played horn, it’s kind of a tenor inside a band.”
The church environment helped build her confidence and discipline, qualities that would later help shape her career.
While music was a source of joy, the path was not always easy.
Siteri remembers moments when people criticised musicians or doubted their abilities.
“There’s been ups and downs but I stand on my two feet.”
“People would say, ‘They don’t sound good,’ but I never let that get to me. I just kept going.”
Instead of allowing negativity to discourage her, she used it as motivation.
She believed music could inspire young people and create opportunities for those searching for a purpose.
Today, that belief remains at the heart of her work.
In 2017, Siteri joined the Fiji Corrections Service.
While many join the organisation for a career in corrections, she arrived with a different mission.
“The reason I joined FCS is because I wanted to show the inmates what you can do with talent.”
For Siteri, music became a bridge between rehabilitation and hope.
She wanted inmates to learn skills they could carry with them beyond the correctional facility.
“When the inmates go out in the community, they can share what I taught them in the correctional facility.”
Now in her seventh year with the band, she continues to use music as a tool for engagement and positive change.
Before joining the Fiji Corrections Service, Siteri was part of the Fiji Police Force Band.
Her move to FCS came after encouragement from a friend, Richard Vatuvei, who suggested she consider joining the organisation.
At first, she was reluctant.
“I told them I’m not going to join.”
But after meeting members of the band and hearing their vision, she changed her mind.
She credits much of her growth to the support she received from her leaders.
“My boss never gave up on me, and he kept pushing me until now.”
Through performances and community engagements around Fiji, Siteri has witnessed firsthand how music can leave a lasting impact.
One experience that remains close to her heart involved two young girls who approached her after a performance at a market.
“They came to me and were like, ‘We want to be like you when we grow up.’”
The moment reminded her of the responsibility musicians have as role models.
“If you want to be like me when you grow up, study hard, work hard and go to a music school to take your talent to the next level.”
For young people who may struggle academically, Siteri believes music can open doors that they never imagined possible.
“If you’re not good at school, like good at maths or other subjects, music is something that takes you to places you’ve never been to before.”
It is a message she shares often, especially with young people looking for direction in life.
Beyond performances, she also assists with music classes for inmates, helping them develop skills and confidence.
While formal programs may not always be running, she remains committed to sharing whatever knowledge she can.
“Some of them don’t know music at all, but when we teach them here, when they go out, they join a church band or some other small band outside of the community.”
Balancing her role as a musician and corrections officer with family commitments has not always been easy.
There are times when work commitments require her to spend time away from her family.
“Sometimes it’s kind of hard balancing work with family and it takes me away from my family.”
Despite the challenges, she continues to find fulfilment in serving communities through music.
Looking ahead, Siteri is not content with standing still.
She hopes to continue growing personally and professionally, while exploring opportunities beyond Fiji’s shores.
“My goal in the future is for me to move ahead, not just wait for a promotion.
“I wanted to move out and explore the world.”
From the shores of Bua to stages around Fiji, Siteri Natera’s story is one of passion and purpose.
Through music, she has found a way not only to express herself, but to uplift others-proving that a song can sometimes carry a message far greater than words alone.
