Fonotī Pati Umaga

Fonotī Pati Umaga is a Samoan musician and disability advocate who recently premiered his new show 'Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan' at the Auckland Arts Festival. After a life-changing accident in 1995 left him with a spinal cord injury, Umaga transitioned from a career in music composition and education to become a prominent voice for the Pasifika and disabled communities. Through his artistic work, he aims to share his personal journey and encourage others facing adversity, using music as a powerful medium for storytelling and healing.