Music has always been part of Adi Salote Serukalou’s life, woven into the fabric of a family where singing was more than a talent — it was a tradition passed down through generations.
But among the many voices that shaped her musical journey, it was her grandmother’s gentle hymns at bedtime that first gave music a special place in her heart.
Growing up in Suva, the 18-year-old Tailevu lass was surrounded by family members gifted with beautiful voices and a love for church choir singing.
Night after night, her 66-year-old maternal grandmother, Daiana Rokovini Serukalou, would sing her a hymn to help her fall asleep, creating memories that would stay with her long after childhood.
“Her voice brought me comfort, peace, and a feeling of safety that I will always treasure,” she said.
Those quiet moments became the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead her to Primanavia, one of Fiji’s celebrated choirs, and give her opportunities she once only imagined.
Now a Year 12 student at Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, Salote believes every experience and every person she has encountered has helped shape the young musician she is becoming.
“I believe that every encounter has played a part in leading me towards the dream I am living today.”
Music came naturally to her from an early age. She would wander around the house humming melodies, trying to make her voice sound beautiful, even when she was not singing an actual song. Sometimes, she would get the lyrics wrong, but the joy of singing never left her.
Her love for music was nurtured by the wider family as well. On her paternal side, her grandparents sang in the choir at Visa, Vugalei, in Tailevu, while her grandfather also played in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces band.
With music surrounding both sides of her family, singing became more than a childhood pastime. It was a connection to her roots, her faith, and the people she loved.
However, music also became a way of holding on to precious memories. Salote lost her maternal grandfather when she was in Year 2, a loss that left an enduring mark on her childhood.
“Whenever I sang, it sometimes felt as though I was keeping a part of those memories alive.
“Although I could no longer be with him physically, the comfort I found in music reminded me that the love we share with people continues to live in our hearts.”
Her school years gave her opportunities to develop that natural passion. Having attended Holy Trinity School from kindergarten to Year 8, she particularly enjoyed music classes, where she found friends who shared her enthusiasm for singing.
“I felt as though I had found the right group of friends because we could share our love for music.”
One of her proudest primary school memories came in Year 8, when she was selected as one of the students to sing the school song, composed that year. It was a special opportunity that allowed her voice to become part of her school’s history.
Her confidence also grew through Sunday School at Nabua Methodist Church. During rallies and gatherings, she was often asked to lead or tune the singing because others knew how much she loved music.
She looked forward to the singing during church services, particularly the sound of the congregation and choir lifting their voices together in worship.
“The way different voices came together to praise God inspired me and strengthened my desire to sing.
“I began to understand that music could be used not only for enjoyment but also to worship God and share His love with others.”
That understanding continues to guide her approach to music, giving her a sense of purpose beyond the performance itself.
A defining moment in her journey came in 2025, when a new school song was composed for Ratu Sukuna Memorial School. The song was first performed at the Vodafone Arena during the school’s 65th anniversary celebration, and Salote was honoured with the opportunity to sing the solo.
The experience also brought her closer to someone she had long admired — renowned choral director and artist Sunia Soko Loga, who helped lead Primanavia to international recognition at the World Choir Games in New Zealand.
For Salote, Primanavia had already represented a dream. She would watch the choir’s performances on YouTube, admiring the musical excellence, dedication and cultural pride reflected in its work.
“Meeting him and receiving the opportunity to sing the solo was an experience I will always be grateful for.
“It reminded me that the talent God had given me could open doors I had once only imagined.”
Following the school anniversary celebration, Loga invited her to audition for Primanavia. For a young singer who had spent years admiring the choir from afar, the invitation was an opportunity she did not hesitate to accept.
She remembers the excitement of sharing the news with her family, knowing that a dream she had prayed for was finally within reach.
“I remember the excitement I felt, and when I shared the news at home, I could hardly contain myself. Something I had prayed and dreamed about was finally becoming a reality.”
Salote has been part of Primanavia for one year and two months. Her first performance with the choir was at Crown Plaza last year.
The preparation demanded commitment and discipline, but the experience left her feeling confident, honoured and grateful to be part of a musical family that brought together people with a shared passion.
Through Primanavia, she has come to understand that being a musician requires far more than a beautiful voice. It calls for humility, teamwork, dedication and discipline, as well as a responsibility to represent Fiji’s culture and heritage with pride.
For Salote, every performance is another opportunity to grow, learn and honour the influences that brought her this far — from the family members whose voices first surrounded her to the grandmother whose bedtime hymns remain among her most treasured memories.
Her journey is still unfolding, but the little girl who once hummed around the house has found her place among a wider family of singers.
