Meet The team

Who We Are

Meet our talented and skilled tutors who are all experts in their fields with a long list of accomplishments and experience.

Our Team & Tutors

Meet The Matavai Team

Maryjane & Fred Schwenke

Directors

Frederick and Maryjane Schwenke are the founders and directors of Matavai Cultural Arts. Both founders have been extensive in their contribution towards their community on a local and international stage, complimenting their experience in Polynesian cultural arts and performances spanning over 20 years.

Moemoana Schwenke

Samoan Siva & Siva Afi Tutor

Moemoana Schwenke is the siva afi and Samoan teacher at Matavai. She was born in Samoa, New Zealand and Australian raised, proud Pacific Islander. She is a graduate in Indigenous studies and Environmental humanities from Wollongong University. She has been serving at Matavai since it began.

Lesieli Toumoua Emelio

Tongan Senior Girls and Tongan Boys

Lesieli started dancing when she was aged four at Tongan functions, Tongan united church and Siasi Tonga Tau’ataina. She was taught by Punake Sione Vatuvei. The highlight of her dancing career is dancing for King Tupou IV with a piece choreographed by Punake Sione Vatuvei.

Adi losalini M.G Silatolu "Grace"

Fijian Tutor

Grace started performing meke in primary school in Fiji. She came to truly love meke during school dances in High school where she attended a Fijian all girls prominent boarding school. She continued to learn more about meke throughout High School.

Ilikena Kalounisawana Karikaritu

Fijian Tutor

Ilikena has been dancing meke since his childhood, performing in meke for Traditional special occasions. He was raised in the village where he learnt meke first hand from the village elders. He has continued to perform and teach meke in Sydney Australia where he now resides.

J'Son Quincey Paulo

Hawaiian Tutor

Hawaiian dance schools were non existent in Sydney so teaching himself was the only option. Having the opportunity to perform with various Polynesian dance groups such as ‘Makali’i, Te puawai, kahlani and e’vana.

Emilou Tepano

Rapa Nui Tutor

Emilou Tepano, Half Rapa Nui and half chilean. Grew up in Rapa Nui. She is a singer, dancer and carver among other expressions.

Steven Gagau

Papa New Guinea Wantok Tutor

Steven is a Tolai of Gunantuna heritage on New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. He is President Sydney Wantok Association, community leader and advocate of Pasifika diaspora and multiculturalism in NSW, Australia. He is a member of various professional and NGO bodies with background in engineering, business, and social sciences.

Emily Pani

Cook Islands Tutor

Emily Pani is a Cook Islands dancer from Rarotonga, Rakahanga, and Mauke. She started dancing at the age of 4 and was taught by her Nena and aunty. She started teaching Cook Islands dance in high school for school events. She hopes that her students learn that Cook Islands dancing is hard work, but also how beautiful her culture is. She wants them to learn something new about the Cook Islands and the culture with every lesson. Emily is the founder and director of Vahine Hupa Cook Islands dance.

Lisapeta Felila

Tongan Tutor

Lisapeta Felila is a Tongan dancer who has been teaching boys’ classes since she was 15 years old. She has been fortunate to learn from many master Tongan dancers, but one who stood out for her was Sione Vatuvei from Tatakamotonga. Lisapeta was lucky enough to dance for Sione on several occasions, and she was impressed by his teaching ability. He had the ability to turn children who had never experienced Tongan dancing into professional dancers within a few weeks. Lisapeta hopes that her own teachings will inspire young Tongans to express themselves through Faiva Faka Tonga.

Tiana Marino-Tiakiwai

Maori Tutor

Tiana Marino Tiakiwai is the Maori Performing Arts teacher at Matavai. She has Tribal Affiliations to Tuhoe, Te Rarawa and Waikato. Tiana has been doing Kapa Haka since primary school in NZ. She has taught various age groups since moving to Sydney in late 2013. Tiana has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Maori language and Customs and is currently studying a Bachelor of Maori Performing arts. She is an author of children’s books in the Maori language. She is the Co-Tutor for Te Raranga Whanui Kapa haka group since 2017. Te Raranga Whanui was established in 2010.

Doreen Mckibbin Agno

Admin Manager

Also a business owner herself. She has over 20 years experience in marketing and advertising and was previously the advertising and marketing manager for Wollongong Advertser. She currently owns her own restaurant In Wollongong and is a big part of Matavai. Doreen grew up in Samoa.

Moeatalagi Schwenke

Admin & Tutor Assistant

Moeatalagi also known as Ata is a tutor for siva afi and siva Samoa. She is 15 years old and has danced at Matavai since it started.

Alisi Leao

Parent Representative & Youth Mentor

Alisi is the assistant tutor, youth mentor and parents represenative.

Casey Roberts