Anne Filimoehala steps up to lead Ōtara’s budding musicians

Tongan musician Anne Filimoehala is enriching the sounds of classical music in the Auckland suburb of Ōtara.

She has been appointed to lead the next generation of young musicians across South Auckland through Sistema Aotearoa, a free orchestral programme that transforms young lives through music.

Based at the Ōtara Music and Arts Centre (OMAC), Sistema provides instruments and performance opportunities for 1200 children and their families, with a focus on social development, leadership, and musical excellence.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Filimoehala says stepping from lead tutor to music director has been a natural progression.

“It's kind of familiar with the whole process of taking over. I was the interim for a few weeks and now that I'm music director, we've hit the ground running and it's all go,” she says.

The programme, which has been running for 15 years, has seen students progress from Year 2 (around age six) to gaining tertiary-level qualifications in music and other fields.

Watch Anne Filimoehala's full interview below.

Filimoehala says what makes Sistema Aotearoa so special are the children who take part. “It's the students. There's just something different when we teach them and when they perform. It's just a special kind of rewarding feeling when you're teaching them.”

Inspired by Venezuela’s world-renowned El Sistema model, the programme uses orchestral music as a tool for social development, often focusing on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In a statement, Sistema Aotearoa’s Board Appointment Committee says Filimoehala’s “inspiring vision, integrity and passion” were key factors in her unanimous selection from a strong field of 13 candidates.

“Anne’s leadership will continue to hold this vital space where music nurtures resilience, leadership and community connection.”

A community built through music

Pacific people represent almost half of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area, with 42,381 individuals counted in the 2023 Census.

Photos of Sistema performances show children dressed in colourful puletasi, proudly holding violins and cellos.

Filimoehala welcomes the growing Pacific presence in brass, opera, and classical music. She says her goal is to bring all of Sistema’s ensembles together.

“One of the most important partnerships that we have is with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra,” she says. “We have an annual side-by-side concert and we also have mentoring hours with them. So there's space for everyone in that field.

“My goal for Sistema would be to create a full symphony orchestra. We have different groups , our string ensembles, our wind band and our brass band. So the goal is to combine it all together and just pull it off. We're getting there.”

Family roots and musical vision

Raised in a musical family with deep ties to Tonga’s brass band tradition, Filimoehala says music has always been a part of her life, even as she majored in violin, instead of a brass instrument.

“It wasn't controversial at all. All my siblings, we all play a second instrument. And that was my mum's goal for us because she's not a brass bandie.

“With the help of her colleagues, she specifically chose the violin for me. And I'm truly grateful that she chose the violin because so many doors have opened up for me. With the way my family is and how we treat music and how we share it, making music accessible to everyone, it was embedded into me from a very young age.”

Playing in the Royal Regiment of the NZ Artillery, Anne Filimoehala (left), Caroline (sister), Fakasi’i’eiki, (father) William (brother), Linda (sister). Photo/Supplied

In 2021, Filimoehala graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Auckland, majoring in Classical Violin Performance under Mark Bennett’s tutelage.

She is the co-founder of the WLCA Concert Series, an abbreviation of her siblings' names (William, Linda, Caroline, Anne) and has served as an Associate Conducting Fellow, touring twice with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in the Upper North Island and to Tonga.

Keeping music accessible

Filimoehala acknowledges the challenges of arts funding but says the programme’s mission keeps the team motivated.

“Myself and the tutor team, we all believe that no matter where you are in Aotearoa, you deserve to learn from the very best,” she says. “We're very lucky that we have a financial team that are picking up all the grants that they can to help keep this programme existing.”

Filimoehala encourages audiences to see the students’ hard work at the upcoming free concert, Hui Taurima, will be held at the Due Drop Events Centre, on 19nNovember from 6pm to 8.30pm.