By Prerna Priyanka
At just 16, Navi Fong stumbled into a dance studio in Fiji and unknowingly stepped onto a path that would see him enthral Fijians and people across the globe.
Fong is a mesmerising presence on stage, his long hair and tall, strong frame commanding attention. But since his stage debut, he has developed many other creative talents.
“I joined VOU in 2011 when I was a student in their school. It was just an extracurricular after-school activity at the time, but it became so much more,” Fong recalls.
From this after-school hobby was ignited a passion that would lead him to become the artistic director of VOU, Fiji’s most celebrated dance company.
Fong’s early years were typical of many young Fijians.
He attended Marist Brothers High School before finishing at International School Suva, where dance was just another activity in the school calendar.
“Attending school here in Fiji, you always end up dancing somehow – in school concerts and everything,” he says.
But it wasn’t until he discovered contemporary dance at VOU that his interest in the art form bloomed.
After finishing high school in 2012, Fong auditioned for a fulltime position with VOU.
“I started off with just dancing at the beginning,” he says.
But Fong’s journey was far from one-dimensional. He immersed himself in every aspect of the company, dabbling in costuming, helping with social media, and eventually, teaching.
“I was learning the different tricks of the trade within the dance company,” he explains.
It was choreography that ultimately captured his heart.
“Once I dipped my toes in choreography, that was the end. I knew I’d found my family, my thing, and I started going deeper into choreography.”
Over the years, Fong has travelled the world with VOU, performing in countries as diverse as Canada, China, and Uzbekistan.
“I think my first tour was in 2014 to the Melanesian Arts Festival in PNG,” he remembers fondly.
But while the international stage has been a pivotal part of his career, it’s the homegrown talent and the evolution of Fiji’s dance scene that truly inspire him.
“The more voices we have, the more diverse the reflection of our dance sector is of what Fiji is.”
Fong’s role at VOU has evolved significantly.
While he still trains dancers, he now focuses on creating and nurturing new pieces.
“My focus is slowly shifting towards creating, and I guess, conceptualising and just keeping the whole artistic vision alive,” he shares.
“This vision isn’t just about dance – it’s about reflecting the real, lived experiences of Fijians.”
One of his dancers recently choreographed a Meke about alcoholism, drawing from a research trip to Vanua Levu.
“It’s really just looking at the realities around us,” Fong says.
“Not always the bad ones, but trying to reflect our realities as Fijians of today.”
Respecting tradition while embracing contemporary issues is a delicate balance that Fong navigates with care.
“When we create Meke, we go about it the traditional way, even though the subject matter might be contemporary,” he explains.
This means following the cultural protocols, such as presenting Sevusevu to the villages and working closely with Dau Ni Vulu (traditional healers or storytellers).
However, when it comes to contemporary dance, Fong finds more freedom to explore and innovate.
Fong is proud of VOU’s role in fostering Fiji’s dance sector. He sees the emergence of new dance collectives, like those led by former VOU dancers, as a positive sign.
“The more diverse the reflection of our dance sector, the truer it is of what Fiji is,” he says.
This diversity, he believes, enriches the entire Fijian arts landscape.
Last year, Navi Fong was recognised with the ‘Rising Star’ award at the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards. His many talents will ensure his star continues to rise.
