Andre Braithwaite

Andre Braithwaite, Musician

André Braithwaite was born and raised on the island of Tortola B.V.I. He attended St. Georges Pre Primary School, Road Town Infant School, Althea Scatliffe Primary School, and B.V.I. High School. After graduation he worked there and then left to further his studies in Music education from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville Florida U.S.A. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Music Education in 2006 with emphasis in composition, voice, piano, drums and a major on Trumpet. During his studies, he performed with the Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, College Chorale, Chamber Singers and the First Coast Wind Ensemble of Jacksonville Florida.

Mr. Braithwaite was also a founding member of the United Multicultural Association Gospel Choir of Jacksonville University. In 2005, he received the award for Artistic Excellence and Academic Achievement, and earned a prestigious teaching internship at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mr. Braithwaite is the Director of the HLSCC Jazz Ensemble. He is also the director of the Elmore Stoutt High School Fungi Band and Choral Director of the Acappella Fellas, Praise Team, Youth Choir and Band of the Road Town Methodist Church.

In his spare time, he enjoys composing and arranging different genres of music. He performs with many local and international artists when the opportunity presents itself. Mr. Braithwaite has traveled and performed in several countries, including USVI, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, Anguilla, St. Vincent, Montserrat, Dominica, Grenada, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Belize, Germany, and the United States.

Via Donovan-Hodge

Via Donovan-Hodge, Author

Via Donovan-Hodge is a contemporary multimedia artist from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Her artwork features an array of bright colors that pay homage to her homeland. 

Via began honing her skills as an artist in high school during hours spent on still life and abstract works that won competitions and were featured in local auctions. Her early artistic training was furthered during summers at the Long Lake Camp for the Arts, she has also received formal training at SACI in Florence, Italy and Marymount Manhattan College. 

Via’s work largely consists of portraiture using mediums ranging from digital illustration to watercolor, to oils; the subjects of which are often black women. Drawing inspiration from the endless mirage of life that surrounds her, Via creates using a philosophy which believes that there is no limit to creative expression, no one true form. She believes that our existence on this earth is multi-dimensional and so is her art. 

Having displayed her work in galleries across New York and the Virgin Islands she seeks to capture beauty, and the joy in expression, to create a dance that lasts for eternity. She views art both as freedom, and a metaphor for control, allowing her to create a space in which she can control the narrative, break barriers and build walls. A world in which art is a reflection of what she sees in the mirror, and that is enough.

Mia Lennard

Mia Lennard, Photographer

Mia Lennard is a photographer from Virgin Gorda whose passion for visual storytelling began during her time at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division, where she majored in Visual Arts. Her work focuses primarily on documentary photography, though she also captures landscapes, portraits, and events.

Mia has participated in two exhibitions to date, earning the Rising Star award at her first, sometime around the age of 18. She has also ventured into filmmaking, with two films to her name, including From Nevis, With Love, a documentary exploring her Caribbean heritage.

One of her most notable accomplishments is serving as an official photographer for the British Virgin Islands’ delegation to CARIFESTA XV in Barbados. In this role, Mia provided photography coverage for key cultural events such as the BVI’s Country Night showcase, regional workshops, and the Super Concerts, where she photographed artists including Adam O, King Colosso, and Jougo. The experience was both inspiring and fulfilling, offering her the opportunity to connect with other Caribbean creatives, witness regional talent, and deepen her appreciation for storytelling through photography.

Out of her deep love for photography and community, Mia has also documented state funerals for Hon. Carvin Malone and Eileene L. Parsons, OBE, as well as the Virgin Islands’ Emancipation and Easter Festivals. One of her most memorable assignments was capturing VI/USVI Friendship Day 2022.

Rea Vanterpool

Rea Vanterpool, Author

Rea Vanterpool hails from the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda. A lifelong lover of language, music, and expression, she discovered early on how reading and writing could open doors to freedom, imagination, and worlds beyond her own.Though much of her creative writing has remained private, she is deeply grateful and delighted for the opportunity to share her words at the BVI Literary Festival.

Her love for meaningful expression and her desire to empower others through effective communication led her to join the Virgin Islands Public Service Toastmasters Club in 2023. There, she continues to grow as a communicator and leader, having served as Vice President Public Relations (2023–2024) and currently as Vice President Education (2024–2025).
Toastmasters has also become a space for her to deepen her storytelling skills and confidence in sharing her voice.

Rea is embracing this new chapter as an emerging writer, one guided by faith, curiosity, and the belief that words can uplift, heal, inspire and challenge. She is focused on honing her craft and nurturing a creative writing practice that gives her the courage and skill to release the stories she carries in her heart so they can reach the people who need them most.