Our Story

The vision for Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy began when Mrs. Lisa was just 12 years old, inspired by a dream of creating a welcoming place where children who love the arts could gather, grow, and feel at home. While that dream was not pursued immediately—as she went on to build her own music career—it never faded.

In 2008, the idea returned with renewed purpose during one of the most challenging seasons of her life. Mrs. Lisa’s mother and manager, Mrs. Sandy, was battling cancer and given less than a ten percent chance of survival. Despite the odds, she remained determined to fight.

During a quiet bedside conversation, Sandy shared a hopeful idea: if she survived, they should direct and produce a Disney musical together. Mrs. Lisa promised her mother that if she pulled through, they would make it happen.

She did—and together, they did.

That promise became the foundation of what would grow into Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy: a place built on passion, resilience, family, and the belief that the arts have the power to heal, inspire, and bring people together.

The first production this mother-daughter duo produced was Disney's Cinderella KIDS.  They rehearsed in a local church, had 8 students, and rented the Catherine Hickman Theater in Gulfport for their first production.

The program continued to grow, they moved from the church to their own location, and now have over 180students and have produced over 100 productions.