Reviving Gospel Music: The Inspiring Journey of Pacific Singer Sara-Jane Elika

Meet Sara-Jane Elika, the Pacific singer who’s breathing new life into gospel music in Aotearoa. Her journey is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of dreams.

The Dream Begins

At just 14 years old, Sara-Jane Elika, a contestant on the ’90s children’s show McDonald’s Young Entertainers, dreamed of hosting her own gospel TV show. Growing up, she rarely saw Pacific singers like herself on TVNZ’s Praise Be, the only show highlighting non-secular music at the time.

A Musical Upbringing

Sara-Jane’s love for gospel music is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Her father, Enosa Auva’a, met her mother, Felicity, while she was singing gospel music on an Auckland street. Felicity was a part of the early gospel music scene in New Zealand, and the couple raised their family surrounded by gospel music.

“Singing was a big part of our lives,” Sara-Jane recalls. “What I love about gospel music is the freedom of it. You don’t need to sing the same song exactly the same way, like other genres of music. Gospel music explores spontaneity and harmonies.”

The Journey to Success

Sara-Jane’s musical career took off after her television performance. She joined the pop group Pacific Soul, released her debut self-titled album, and won numerous local music awards, including the first Tui Award for Best Pacific Album and Best Pacific Female Artist.

Despite her busy music career, Sara-Jane attended Auckland University, studying law and arts. Although she was admitted to the bar in 2012, she chose not to practice law. Instead, she started a Pacific-focused consultancy firm with her husband, Leaupepe Ta’ala Ralph Elika, and continued to perform music.

Soul Sessions: A Dream Realized

Today, Sara-Jane is the host and creator of Soul Sessions, a Pacific-focused gospel show that highlights Pacific and Māori singers. The show is revitalizing the gospel music genre on television in Aotearoa.

“When I watched Praise Be as a child, what I saw reflected mainstream New Zealand. I wanted to provide a platform so we could see another side of gospel music,” Sara-Jane says.

It took Sara-Jane 26 years to fulfill her dream. She spent the last five years trying to get production funding and broadcast support for Soul Sessions. After several rejections, she finally received funding from New Zealand on Air and support from primary media partners TP+ and Shine TV.

Overcoming Challenges

The filming of the second season of Soul Sessions was disrupted by Covid-19. Many of the crew and guests, including Sara-Jane, contracted the virus, and production was forced to shut down.

“You can plan as much as you want, but until you receive that positive Covid result, you need to take a moment to breathe and figure out the next plan of attack,” Sara-Jane says. “It was scary to go through the emotions of managing a family when you test positive one by one.”

Despite the challenges, Sara-Jane’s faith and determination saw her through. The groundbreaking first season of Soul Sessions premiered in March 2021, featuring Pacific and Māori musicians and exploring the gospel music scene in Aotearoa.

The Power of Gospel Music

“People embrace gospel music because there’s a genuine Māori and Pacific cultural connection to the spirituality of the music,” Sara-Jane explains. “These are the songs that give us hope, encouragement, and inspiration.”

Through Soul Sessions, Sara-Jane aims to inspire her community and showcase the stories behind the music. “It’s about storytelling, knowing the singers behind the music, the stories from their childhoods, their lived experiences, and hearing about the joy and freedom they get from singing gospel songs,” she says.