#  Dion Cunningham 

Assistant Professor at the University of the Bahamas

 

 

 



   ![Dion Cunningham](/sites/g/files/omnuum4496/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2025-07/bio%20picture-%20subject-%20smaller.png?itok=lU7q-wjA) 

 



 





 

An educator, researcher, artist, and interdisciplinary practitioner, Dion Cunningham (Doctor of Musical Arts) currently serves as an assistant professor at the University of the Bahamas (Nassau, Bahamas) in a dual appointment between the School of Education (Music Education) and School of Communication (Music Department). His research intersects artistic and scientific disciplines, and explores the following: critical analysis of historical instrumental pedagogy and technique; neuromechanics and motor control of piano playing; issues of piano technology, ergonomics and injury; development of instrumental proprioception; and knowledge gaps in aspiring and professional pianists. These research areas extend from his dissertation work entitled “The Science of Artistic Expression: Intersections of Piano Pedagogy and Human Neuromechanics.”

Dion’s curiosities extend beyond the scientific realm into the world of education and entertainment. He is the founder and producer of Adventures in the Arts - a non-profit foundation centered around the concept of “edutainment.” Their interactive programing utilizes performing, visual, and multimedia art forms to explore concepts in non-arts disciplines as well as stories and issues of culture, industry, society, and human existence. In this work, Dion has researched and collaborated with artists from across North America and the Caribbean and institutions including the Dance Theater of Harlem (NYC, NY), the Collage Dance Collective (Memphis, TN) and Design Strong (Nassau, Bahamas). This edutainment outreach work has been presented to over 2000 people throughout the Bahamas and North America.

As a concert pianist, Dion has performed throughout North and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. A prizewinner in the American Protege International and American Prize Solo Piano competitions, he made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016 and is frequently sought after as a recitalist and a collaborator. He will make his solo piano album debut this Fall entitled “Dion presents Robert Schumann” where he explores the early works of Robert Schumann and their intersections with themes of play, passion, serenity and mental health.

Dion has 15 years of experience in K-12 education systems within the Bahamas and the US. His teaching career pursuits have also given him the opportunity to partner with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra OrchKids (Baltimore, MD) and the East Lake Expression Engine (Chattanooga, TN) in their social outreach education programs for the past 10 years. Additionally, he also serves in similar capacities in his local church, Christ Community Church (Nassau, Bahamas).

Dion holds his terminal degree from the University of Maryland, College Park as well as a Master's of Music from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Master's of Music Education (Vandercook College of Music), a Diploma in Education (College of the Bahamas) and Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Biology and Music (Macalester College). In his spare time, Dion enjoys outdoor recreational pursuits. He is also a certified scuba diver, amateur triathlete and a 2-time Ironman 70.3 finisher.

Dion is visited HGSE October 23-November 5, 2022.