Who We Are

A School for the Artists We Haven’t Met Yet.

BPAEI is building awareness, support, and funding for the Bahamas School for the Arts, a future secondary institution where young Bahamians can pursue academic excellence alongside serious training in the arts.

The vision is the school.
The work starts now.

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Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

To advance and support performing arts education in The Bahamas by creating access to quality programs, resources, scholarships, and opportunities for young people in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

We believe the arts belong alongside academics, not apart from them.

Our Vision

The Bahamas School for the Arts

A secondary institution where young Bahamians can receive a strong academic education while developing their abilities in the arts.

A place to learn.
A place to create.
A place to belong.
A place to imagine what comes next.

We are building toward that future.

Our Journey

Explore Our Story

Build Awareness

Start the conversation about the future of arts education in The Bahamas.

Build Support

Bring together individuals, businesses, artists, educators, and communities who believe in the vision.

Raise Funds

Generate the support needed to help establish and sustain the Bahamas School for the Arts.

Open the Doors

Create a school where young Bahamians can learn, create, and grow.

One day, there will be a school.

We are working to make that day possible.

Meet The Our Team

The people behind the vision.

Tiara Josey

Co-founder & President, Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative

Tiara Johnson is an educator, choreographer, performer, certified life coach, and passionate advocate for the advancement of performing arts education in The Bahamas. With more than 27 years of experience in dance and the performing arts, she has dedicated her career to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to discover their creativity, develop confidence, and pursue excellence through the arts.

Tiara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from the College of The Bahamas and has received extensive training in dance, including Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) training, Tap, Modern, and other dance disciplines. As Co-Director of The Creative Space, she plays an integral role in providing quality dance education and nurturing the next generation of Bahamian performers.

As Co-Founder and President of The Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative (BPAEI), Tiara is committed to strengthening the performing arts ecosystem in The Bahamas. Through her work, she advocates for greater access to arts education, professional development, mentorship, and opportunities for young artists to grow both on and beyond the stage.

Tiara believes that the arts are more than performance—they are a powerful tool for education, empowerment, cultural preservation, and community development. Her vision is to help build a future where every young person in The Bahamas has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the performing arts and where Bahamian artists are equipped and empowered to thrive.

Shauné Culmer

Co-Founder & Vice President, Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative

Shauné Culmer is a Bahamian dance educator, choreographer, cultural advocate, and arts administrator with almost 30 years of experience in training, teaching, and performance. Having performed across The Bahamas, the United States, and Uganda, she has developed a deep appreciation for the power of movement to connect cultures and communities.

Shauné holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Fisk University and a Master of Arts in Dance Education from New York University with a K-12 teaching certification in Dance.

She currently serves as a Cultural Affairs Officer for Dance, Movement & Kinesthetics within the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage, an Adjunct Professor of Dance at the University of The Bahamas, and Co-Owner and Co-Director of The Creative Space.
As Co-Founder and Vice President of the Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative, Shauné is committed to expanding access to quality arts education, mentorship, scholarships, and creative opportunities. She believes every Bahamian student should have the opportunity to explore their creativity, connect with their culture, and recognize the performing arts as a pathway for personal, academic, and professional growth.

D’Aesha Rahming

Secretary

D’Aesha Rahming serves as Recording Secretary for The Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative. An educator, mentor, and creative advocate, she is passionate about inspiring young people to build confidence, explore their talents, and discover meaningful ways to express themselves. As a Science Teacher at St. Augustine’s College, she brings experience in education, student leadership, mentorship, event planning, and youth development to the Initiative. Through her work, D’Aesha is committed to helping create opportunities where creativity, talent, and personal potential can flourish.

Kyle Chase

Treasurer

Kyle brings a unique blend of creative experience, financial expertise, and a strong commitment to community to The Bahamas Performing Arts Education Initiative. Having spent more than a decade involved in the performing arts during her youth, she understands firsthand the confidence, discipline, creativity, and lifelong skills that arts education can inspire. With nearly 20 years of professional experience in financial planning, analysis, and accounting, along with a passion for mentorship and youth engagement, Kyle brings both strategic insight and a personal appreciation for the power of the arts. As a board member, she is committed to helping create a supportive and sustainable environment where young people can explore their talents, build confidence, and thrive through dance and the performing arts.

Larissa Lundy

Marketing Specialist

For more than 12 years, the performing arts have been an important part of Larissa’s story. Her love for dance, live music, theatre, and creative expression has continued to shape both her passions and career path. Now serving as BPAEI’s Marketing & Communications Specialist, Larissa brings that same creative spirit into the world of marketing, where storytelling, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections are at the heart of her work. Having experienced firsthand the impact the arts can have on a young person, she is passionate about helping create the kind of platform she once wished for, a space where future creatives can explore their talents, think boldly, and discover where creativity and possibility meet.

Support The Vision

Help us build what comes next.
The Bahamas School for the Arts needs a community behind it.

If you believe young Bahamians deserve greater access to arts education, you can help us move the vision forward.

To make a donation:
Bank: Commonwealth Bank LTD.
Account Name: The Bahamas School for the Arts
Account Number: 1012039744
Branch: 21101

Please include BPAEI Donation as the transfer reference, if applicable.