Among those present for the doctoral piano recital by Bahamian Don Cunningham at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, on Saturday, November 8, from left to right were: His Excellency Dr. Eugene Newry, Bahamas Ambassador to the United States; his wife, Mrs. Francoise Torcon Newry; Mr. Cunningham; Miss Faith Maycock, Third Secretary, Bahamas Embassy Consular Annex; and Mr. Mikhail Bullard, Third Secretary, Bahamas Embassy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Officials of The Bahamas Embassy in Washington, D.C., were witnesses to history in the making on Saturday, November 8, 2014 as a part of the audience for a doctoral piano recital for Mr. Dion Cunningham at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Mr. Cunningham expertly performed several classical pieces and audience members were also treated to a dramatic rendition of the hymn, "It is well". Mr. Cunningham is seeking to become the first Bahamian with a Doctorate in Musical Arts and is hoping to complete the program by Spring of 2017.

In order to satisfy the requirements for the program, he will have to complete four more recitals, the next of which will be late April/early May, comprehensive exams and a dissertation.   Based on the incredible performance on Saturday, there is no doubt Mr. Cunningham will successfully attain the first Bahamian Doctorate in Musical Arts.