A Piano Recital by Dion Cunningham On Saturday March 10th 2012 at 8:00 pm and Sunday March 11th 2012 at 6:00pm under the distinguished patronage of the Commissioner of Police Mr. Ellison E. Greenslade and Mrs. Kimberley Greenslade The St. Andrews Presbyterian Kirk will be hosting Dion Cunningham presents A Piano Recital. The recital will feature baroque, classical, romantic and gospel works.

A graduate of Thelma Gibson Primary and St. Augustine’s College in Nassau, Dion attended Macalester College, in Minnesota on an academic scholarship where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in both Biology and Music. During his time abroad, Dion studied piano under the tutelage of Don Betts and also served as accompanist for the Macalester Women’s Choir. While there he also founded the Voices of Tamani – a student run Gospel Choir.

Since his return to The Bahamas, in 2006, Dion taught Kingsway Academy, C.R. Walker High School and Heritage Christian School and tutored many to success in the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education and Trinity College of Music examinations. While teaching, Dion pursued professional studies in education and earned a Diploma in Education, with distinction, from the College of The Bahamas. Simultaneously, he was the accompanist for the Bel Canto Singers and Chief Musician and Director of the Worship Team at his church. He also participated as Violinist and Cellist in The Bahamas Symphony Orchestra.

After three summers of intensive study, in July 2011, this tenacious young man completed a Masters Degree in Music Education at Vandercook College of Music, Chicago, Illinois, through a Harry C. Moore Scholarship, courtesy of the Lyford Cay Foundation. His thesis was “Starting a Beginning String Programme within the Bahamian Folk Tradition”.

Dion is humbled to have the coveted opportunity of being the first Bahamian to pursue a graduate degree in Piano Performance at this prestigious institution. The training received and connections made will undoubtedly accelerate the pursuit of his dream for the Bahamas to produce world class musicians and educators. This recital is in aid of continuing his Advanced Music Studies at Peabody Conservatory of Music/ Johns Hopkins University.

For more information, visit Dion Cunningham’s Facebook Page, or contact SageEden Media Group at 356-0646