Music therapists merge Pacific tradition and healing for wellbeing

Sāmoan music therapists June Potifara and Retts van Dam are using sound and song to support wellbeing and self-expression.

Potifara (Falese’ela, Sapunaoa) works at a specialist school in Lower Hutt and at the Wahakamātūtū mental health clinic.

She says the work requires observation, reflection, and a willingness to experiment.

“We could explore songwriting, we do a bit of improvisation. Sometimes you think ‘Oh, I’m going to come up with this’ and it doesn’t always work out, but it’s learning to adapt within the sessions.”

Potifara is one of 92 registered music therapists in Aotearoa and says there are some misconceptions about the sector.

“It’s not kumbaya. It’s actually deep and meaningful work. It’s a form of expression that, at times, words alone can’t express. That’s what makes it a bit different from something like talk therapy.”

She uses the concept of teu le va to recognise the relational space between therapist and client.

She believes that mental and physical disabilities do not limit a person’s ability to express themselves and connect with others.

“These individuals are more than just physical beings bound to their wheelchairs and ableist ideologies and structures. They are spiritual and emotional beings who can conceptualise, express, and feel just like every able being.”

Watch the full interview with June Potifara below.

Potifara has classical opera training and plays the piano, guitar, and ukulele. Speaking to Nemai Tagicakibau on Pacific Days, she says her interest in music therapy was sparked as a teenager during a careers expo at McAuley High School.

“At that time, I was learning piano and wasn’t ready to pursue piano as a career. But I saw that, and I think it came from wanting to find a medium of healing for our people.”

Retts van Dam (Falealupo, Sāfotu - Sāmoa) conducts music therapy sessions at Māpu-i-Musika-Therapy (MiMT) Falē and says her Pacific heritage provides her with a unique advantage.

“Born in beautiful Sāmoa, my turangawaewae as it were, I was brought up in the traditional healing rituals of my ancestors. All of these childhood experiences gave me the good vibrations and foundation for subsequent experiences, which have now led me to this time and place.”

The Sāmoan slit drum with Tahitian Origins: Pātē. Photo /Youtube/Jack Daulton

Van Dam honours her family and upbringing as the foundation for her work.

“As a five-year-old, being taken through healing ocean rituals in Māpu-i-Fagalele, standing on Ie Papa where our ancestors landed, viewing their cave dwelling, hearing the ancient chants of our healer ancestors handed down to my own dear Dad and aunties.

“Undergoing fofō, learning the healing properties of our native flora, drinking the tonics, hearing the recipes of the making of fanu’u Sāmoa with my dear Tinā and auntie, learning siva taupou for the Sāmoa Independence celebration.”

Retts van Dam (centre) with participants from the Drum, Chant, Siva group. Photo/Supplied

Events for the community

Music Therapy Week will be held from 10-15 April, and Potifara encourages people to consider attending events like ‘Chant for your Mind’ in Wellington.

“This workshop aims to bring compassion over negative self-talk through chanting, which I thought would be interesting for our Pasifika people,” she says.

“Just because it's a Western-informed practice doesn't mean Pasifika people cannot learn as well.”

Retts van Dam has created a welcoming space at MiMT Falē in Hellensville. Photo/Supplied

In Hellensville, events will be held at the MiMT Falē:

• Wednesday 9 April @ 10.30am: Women’s chant and siva movement group.

• Thursday 10 April @ 10.30am: Open Community Musicking Group - fa’amanuia, (blessing) and fa’afiafia (enlivening with joy, happiness) for heart, body, and soul.

• For more information, please contact Retts van Dam at 0272705126.