Learning music is never too early or ever too late, says Samoan soprano and conductor Muāgututia Vaigafa Edward. And she is offering aspiring musicians an opportunity to use Music Haven as a safe space to explore and nurture their musical abilities.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Muāgututia said the idea to set up Music Haven was around for many years, but only became real in May this year.

“The idea for Music Haven has existed for many years but it only became official in May 2021,” she said.

“Music Haven is a music studio or school that offers piano and voice lessons to people of all ages.”

Music classes and private lessons are available for students of all ages (children and adults) as they believe the mantra that it is never too early nor is it ever too late to learn music.

Muāgututia is a qualified musician with a bachelor’s degree in music composition and performance from the California State University in San Bernardino in the U.S. 

She has also studied opera performance in Viterbo, Italy in addition to touring with the CSUSB Champer Choir around Italy and Spain.  

Establishing Music Haven was also a collaboration with fellow music colleague and pianist, Namulau’ulu Franziska Sione, who is a well-trained pianist who holds a certificate of music from the University of Edinburgh. 

Muagututi’a said she founded Music Haven as a place for children, youth and adults to explore their musical interests. 

“Since being back on the island and being part of Samoa Star Search, I have noticed the growing number of youth who have incredible musical talents, but they’ve never had proper training nor access to resources to help develop their talents,” she said. 

The name Music Haven was inspired by her experiences with music and how it has always been her remedy, which she sees as her safe place where she could freely express who she is.

Her hope is that the music studio and school will provide others with the tools to use music to help themselves. 

Music Haven also offers voice classes for different age groups once a week which are all taught by Muagututi’a.

On Mondays it’s voice classes for teens (ages 13-16); Tuesdays is children’s voice class (ages 7-12); Wednesday is voice class for youth (ages 17-20) and their adult class for those who are 21-plus on Thursdays. 

Piano classes are offered every day with both Namulau’ulu and Muagututi’a alternating in taking the piano classes. So far Music Haven has about 30 students with both children and adults enrolled.

Their goal is to develop more musicians for Samoa to help develop music programs in schools, churches and the communities.  

Muagututi’a added that Music Haven’s long-term goal is to eventually provide opportunities for performing arts students of Samoa to seek higher education in music and performing arts.  

Her late father Lealiifano Dr. Iopu Tanielu was also instrumental in pushing to set up the music school, consequently her decision to dedicate the venture to his memory. 

“Music Haven was just an idea or a dream for many years but the recent passing of my late father, Lealiifano Dr. Iopu Tanielu inspired me to pursue this dream,” she said. 

“He believed all dreams were achievable; you just had to work for it. 

“My mother and my husband Johnny Edward who have worked diligently behind the scenes to help me establish this school.”