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WELCOME TO THE ARTS ACADEMY
Excellent Educational Preparation for Careers or Future Study in
MEDIA - MUSIC - DANCE - THEATRE - VISUAL ARTS
Distinguished Alumni
Daniel Croix
A graduate of BAVPA from 2022, he trained at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts & Film at Purchase College. He is an actor/director and most notably recognized from his recently roles in Tyler Perry's "The Oval" and "Manhunt."
You can follow him on Instagram
His IMDB page can be found here.
Aitina Fareed-Cooke
A graduate of BAVPA from 2022, she was recently crowned the title of Buffalo Poet Laureate by Mayor Byron Brown. Her production company, Get Fokus'd Productions
You can follow her on Instagram
Creative Artist Bio Site
Get Fokus'd X
Get Fokus'd Productions
Crisanta Melendez
Graduating BAVPA in 2004 as a Vocal Major, Crisanta pursued a variety of career choices until she moved to Orlando, FL to go back to school for Journalism. After she took an elective class in film, she decided that was going to be her career. After graduating with an Associate's Degree, she moved back to Buffalo and went to the University at Buffalo where she received her Bachelor's in Film Studies at the age of 28.
After graduating UB in 2014, she moved to LA - not a dime in her pocket. Based on her previous work experiences, some luck, and networking, she landed a job at a boutique Visual Effects studio and fell under the wing of another SUNY graduate who had a deep love for WNY. Two weeks into LA, she landed a job at Luma Pictures. She has worked on films such as Ant-Man, Age of Adeline, Heart of the Sea and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
She has coordinated over 30 movie and TV shows including: Westworld Seasons 1 &2, Gotham Seasons 2-4, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and many more. She has also produced multiple music videos.
She has been honored by The Television Academy with an Emmy in 2017 for Outstanding Visual Effects Production on HBO's Westworld and currently is an active member (meaning she gets to vote for who wins!)
Now, she holds a position at Amazon Studios where she hires the creative VFX teams for the feature films produced. She enjoys this position the most as her days are no longer 10-12 hours and she also gets to help her friends stay employed. She just finished shooting a comedy starring Eddie Murphy called "The Pickup" and she's currently managing about 17 other movies in varying stages of production!
Her IMDB page cane be found here.
Chris McMillan
From the class of 2014, Chris has since earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Organizational-Human Resource Emphasis and Leadership Studies from McKendree. He also competed on the Men's Bowling Team and became a Collegiate National Champion.
He returned to McKendree to pursue his Master's in Performance Psychology and Leadership where he graduated in May 2024. He also served as the Graduate Assistant Coach and will now serve as the Assistant for the Men's Bowling Team.
He also competed at the Team USA trials and made the short list of people to watch in 2021-2022.
He currently works as a Mindset Performance Coach and is pursing his certifications to work with the International Olympic Committee while aiming to pursue another Master's and Doctorate degree.
Chelsey Harvey
Since graduating in 2023, Chelsey has thrived at Purchase College in their Theater Design and Technology program as a Stage Manager. She has been able to work on multiple shows, learned how to load shows in and out and run the crews for two shows. Included are pictures of her working in the shop, part of her drafting, a portfolio review and a door she helped build for a show!
Darniece Carter
A graduated from 2021, Darniece is the author of two books that are currently available on Amazon. She is now attending college with a major in Social Work, made the Dean's List for 23-24 and graduating in 2025. She intends to pursue her Master's Degree after. She is working on her third book, Unveiling Her Essence and will be celebrating 5 years of her non-profit organization in August.
Her books can be purchased here:
Beauty Arise
Beauty Arise, Let's Become Empowered and Inspired
Nahiem Paris
After graduating from BAVPA, Nahiem pursued a double major in Theatre and Performance, as well as Arts Management at SUNY Purchase. He founded Fusion X, a dance team that continues to thrive under the leadership of a former backup dancer for Sean Paul. Recognized for his dedication and promise in theatre and dance fields, Nahiem received the prestigious Samara Joy award upon graduation. He's had the honor of collaborating with Broadway artists like Kevin Curtis (Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future) and Hettie Bernhill (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Leap of Faith). Additionally, Nahiem contributed to the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY in Albany. Currently, he plans to pursue an MBA & MFA in order to establish his own arts academy in Buffalo in the future.
You can follow her on Instagram
Calandrea is a graduate from the class of 2016 as a Dance Major and still continues to dance. She has obtained her Associates Degree in Psychology, made the Dean's List and also a part of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She plans on finishing her schooling after giving birth to her first child this summer. Her favorite jobs thus far have been becoming a Registered Behavior Technician, teaching children with autism developmental skills and currently a case worker for refugees, helping them get on their feet after entering our country.
She loves being able to help people in our community and wants to continue doing so. On the side, she still loves dancing and takes dance classes whenever she can. She's currently also modeling and recently did New York Fashion Week at the end of 2023 and Berlin Fashion Week.
You can follow her on Instagram
Calandrea Hall
A graduate of BAVPA from 2022, she is currently going into her junior year at Columbia College in Chicago. She is a dance major and creative writing minor. In her free time, she has also been pursuing a career in modeling which includes walking in shows for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Chicago Fashion Coalition to countless of runway shows and photo shoots for local designers and photographers. Next semester she will be running for Vice President for the Modeling Troupe she belongs to and where they teach models the fundamentals of the modeling industry including walking, how to book gigs, professionalism to runway techniques.
You can follow her on Instagram
Na'Ima Flores
Parker Souter
A graduate of BAVPA from 2020, Parker has recently graduated Cum Laude from University at Buffalo earning a Bachelor's of Arts in Criminology with a minor in History. Not too long ago, Parker moved back to Buffalo after living in Pittsburgh, PA, having worked as a photographer for local musicians. In Buffalo, they currently work for Mental Health Advocates of WNY while also starting their own screen printing business, "Sout's Screen Prints."
You can follow them on Instagram
Kayla Coniglio
Kayla graduated from Performing Arts in 2014 as a theater major as one of the originals! BAVPA set the stage for her "to out into the world and get everything she wanted!" She is currently working on her Bachelors of Arts to become a Special Needs Teacher while also being a full time nanny. Since graduating BAVPA, she has earned her Associate's Degree, a CDA certificate from working at a daycare, and CPR certification for people and animals. She would like to thank Ms. Beuth for her wisdom and education throughout her time at Performing Arts. She especially misses starting off her day with Ms. Beuth's theater class. She hopes all are doing well and looks forward to seeing what the new BAVPA students bring to the world!
Eric Harris
Upon graduating from BAVPA, Eric enrolled Villa Maria College to follow his career as a trumpet player. He is looking to start his own music performance business as an independent trumpet performer. He would love to help people see the beauty of music and why it is so important to him and in our lives.
He plans on attending Graduate school after he graduates from Villa Maria. He is currently employed by the Buffalo Museum of Science as a part-time birthday party facilitator.
You can follow him on Instagram:
Alyssia Randazzo
Graduating from Performing Arts in 2022, Alyssia is currently in the Honor's program at Daemen University. They're heading into their junior year in the Illustration program.
They have had their work in the Daemen's undergrad art show every year. Alyssia is now preparing a portfolio for a future in tattooing and preparing for junior year.
To view some of their artwork and commission, follow their Instagram here:
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