Music For Change: Pacific Women is anticipated to generate the creation of new music resulting in a compilation album and documentary film from Bougainville and Tonga. Photo credit: Wantok Musik/Facebook.
Source: Wantok Musik
Wantok Musik Foundation’s Music for Change: Pacific Women is helping to transform and strengthen women-led music and storytelling across the Pacific, beginning in Bougainville and Tonga, in June and August 2026, respectively.
Through collaborative songwriting, mentoring, recording, performance, filmmaking and storytelling, the project builds creative and technical capability while creating pathways for cultural and economic participation in the music and arts sector.
Music for Change: Pacific Women is led by Wantok Musik Foundation with funding and technical assistance from the Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community (PWL at SPC) programme, supported by the Australian Government.
The Wantok Musik team includes Artistic Director Dr David Bridie and Australian Project Manager Dr Jodie Kell, who have curated a group of mentors to take to Bougainville and Tonga and will also work closely with local organisations to support the delivery and promotion of the project.
David says the project starts with listening.
“It’s about creating the conditions for women to tell their own stories, in their own voices, and to build skills that endure well beyond the time we spend on the ground.”
Jodie adds the team is excited to work in Bougainville and Tonga, alongside dynamic and talented local mentors and artists.
“The standard of the applicants, both for participants and mentors, is so high.
“We believe the outcomes will be powerful, exciting and great listening.”
The Bougainville programme will take place in Tubiana, Central Bougainville from June 22 to July 10, 2026, and is named the Meri Singsing Strong Project.
Approximately 16-20 women will participate, with support from Bougainville Project Manager Llane Munau and mentors Beatrice Lewis, Monique Brumby, Theresa Miria and Tziyon Mogu, as well as local artists Kamalita Tibou, Tasha Kabano, Emma Getsi and Mary Diao.
Wantok Musik is thrilled to have these incredible women as mentors and participants, who bring significant expertise to the programme.
The project builds on the Lek Mak Project, a music and culture project facilitated by Wantok Musik celebrating the cultural depth and significance of Bougainville in the context of their transition to nationhood.
Llane will be working as a filmmaker during the project, mentoring participants to develop their filmmaking and storytelling skills creating documentary content as well as music videos.
She says the project reflects the central role women play in Bougainville culture and community life.
“Singing and music is part of us, it expresses who we are as Bougainville women.
“This project will elevate women musicians by creating opportunities to have their voices heard — locally, regionally and internationally.
“Then everyone will see it’s not only men who can do this, women can be empowered through music too.”
Meanwhile, Fefine To’a will be held from August 3-21, in Tonga, supported by Project Manager ‘Ofa Guttenbeil Likiliki and Project Support Mia Kami, as well as mentors Aubrie Mitchell, Adriana Māhanga Lear and Beatrice Lewis from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The project team is also collaborating with the Ofa-Ki-Tonga Music Collab, a newly formed Tonga-led music collaboration and creative cultural platform celebrating Tongan talent at home and across the Moana.
Fefine To’a aims to explore the power of music to influence change through messaging and strong role models.
Music For Change: Pacific Women is anticipated to generate the creation of new music resulting in a compilation album and documentary film from Bougainville and Tonga.
It is hoped the music created not only uplifts the participating women, but that the songs will motivate the next generation of women in Bougainville, Tonga and across the Pacific.
Visit Wantok Music for more information.