Matthew Denman – Guitarist, Educator, Composer,
and Executive Director of the Leyenda Foundation
Matthew Denman is a Grammy-nominated educator, internationally respected classical guitarist and composer, and a visionary leader in guitar pedagogy and performance. He is Assistant Professor of Guitar at Oklahoma City University and Director of Guitar at Classen School of Advanced Studies, where he has developed award-winning programs that have received national and international recognition, including multiple accolades from the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA).
Denman is also the Executive Director of the Leyenda Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the guitar and supporting the artists who shape its future. Under his leadership, the Foundation has launched groundbreaking initiatives, including the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute, Charlie Christian Guitar Institute, John Knowles Fingerstyle Institute, Come Together: Professional Development for Guitar Teachers, and Leyenda Spark, a national mentorship program for emerging pre-college and early college guitarists. He is currently guiding the development of the Leyenda Music Conservatory, an accessible, world-class institution for music education.
A devoted student of the instrument, Denman studied under Maestro Pepe Romero and continues to learn from him today. He now directs the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute and is featured in Pepe Romero: Dialogues on a Life’s Journey with the Guitar, reflecting his deep connection to the Romero family legacy. He is also a Pepe Romero Artist.
Denman served as Education Director for the GFA from 2013 to 2018 and is one of only three recipients of the GFA/Augustine Award for Excellence in Guitar Education. He was named a 2024 GRAMMY® Music Educator Award Nominee, recognizing his transformative impact on music education.
As a performer and clinician, Denman has appeared at top institutions worldwide, including the Oberlin Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Zurich Conservatory (Switzerland), Stella Vorarlberg Privathochschule für Musik (Austria), Beijing Central Conservatory, Chamber Art Madrid, and Guitar New Mexico, and was an invited presenter at the Lake Konstance Guitar Research Meeting. His compositions have been performed at Yale University, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, major festivals, and all-state music conventions around the globe.
Denman’s recent performance collaborations include concerts with Courtney Crouse (soprano), Emily Duncan (harp), Victoria Moreira (flute), and Melissa Plamann (organ), showcasing his versatility and commitment to cross-instrumental artistry.
His work has been featured in Soundboard Magazine and the book Building an Award-Winning Guitar Program by Bill Swick. Denman continues to lead with passion, vision, and inclusivity—bridging tradition and innovation to elevate the guitar and those who play it.
