The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Alafua Campus began Zumba classes in an effort to promote health and wellness for its students, staff and alumni.
Ms Ronna Lee, Alafua’s Student Welfare Officer (SWO) said the main Zumba instructor is Ms Eterei Maiava, who undertakes the programme at Samoa Performing Arts & Creative Excellence (SPACE), a dance studio established by the late Allan Alo.
SPACE is a Dance studio that was established by the late Seiuli Allan Alo, the Pacific Outreach Coordinator for Polynesia to provide a platform to nurture and explore the development of dance, music, art, mixed media, literary arts and more. It is the first ever professional dance/performance studio in Samoa.
Ms Lee stated this is the first time Zumba classes are offered free of charge at Alafua Campus as participants previously paid for them.
“There has been consistent attendance of Intermediate and Junior staff, residential and off-campus students and even members from the local community,” she said.
During Zumba sessions, Ms Maiva includes lessons on Pacific dance moves with the aim of encouraging regional students to contribute dance moves from their countries. .
The SPACE dancers will be a key feature at this year’s 50th Anniversary celebrations hosted at the Alafua Campus.
In addition to the free Zumba classes, Ms Maiava and her team of dancers included free dance demonstrations, the aim of which was to encourage students and staff to join their performing arts lessons at their studio.
Regional students are encouraged to participate in this programme while at the same time promote their cultures through dance.
“We are indebted and blessed to have Ms Maiva and her team offer these free classes at Alafua Campus,” Ms Lee said.
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