Publications
Matthew Denman’s work as a performer, educator, and visionary leader has been featured in national publications and professional journals. His career was profiled in Soundboard (the journal of the Guitar Foundation of America), where he was described as a “sterling figure in the classical guitar community” with a reputation as “player, scholar, impresario, composer, and all-around esteemed figure.”
In a feature interview with Thomas Amoriello Jr., Denman reflected on his rise in the guitar profession, his philosophy of education, and his commitment to building programs that serve diverse communities. His perspectives on program creation, leadership, and the challenges of higher education continue to shape national conversations about the future of music education.
This page brings together selected features, interviews, compositions, and press articles that highlight Denman’s contributions as an artist, pedagogue, and advocate for the guitar.
Soundboard Interview
And I have to say that this institute exists and can exist because we have someone like Matt Denman,who he himself has a parallel soul and spirit to my father. So he believes and is that which my father expressed and was. So in Matt, my brother and I, my nephews, we found the perfect partner. For we all can feel the true spirit and the essence of who my father was and who my father is.
“Unnerved is the book every performer, educator, and artistic soul has been waiting for. With rare honesty and generous insight, Melissa M. Plamann replaces shame with understanding, and fear with practical, compassionate tools. This isn't just a guide – it's a lifeline. Plamann has written the most human, intelligent, and genuinely helpful book I've read on performance anxiety. This book might not only help you reclaim your voice – it may restore your relationship with the art you love.” — Matthew Denman, Grammy-nominated Music Educator and Executive Director of the Leyenda Foundation
Matthew Denman’s work as a performer, educator, and visionary leader has been featured in national publications and professional journals. His career was profiled in Soundboard (the journal of the Guitar Foundation of America), where he was described as a “sterling figure in the classical guitar community” with a reputation as “player, scholar, impresario, composer, and all-around esteemed figure.” In a feature interview with Thomas Amoriello Jr., Denman reflected on his rise in the guitar profession, his philosophy of education, and his commitment to building programs that serve diverse communities. His perspectives on program creation, leadership, and the challenges of higher education continue to shape national conversations about the future of music education.
Stephen Aron Blog
Stephen Aron reflects on Matthew Denman’s visit to Oberlin, praising his thoughtful, practical advice and his deep connection to the Romero tradition.
The most effective recruiter I have worked with is Matt Denman, currently at Oklahoma City University. He makes a point o visiting our campus two or three times every year. He schedules his visits during our quarter concerts to hear student per ormances, meets the students, learns their names, and has an opportunity to comment on their performance the next day when he meets with them. In addition, Denman schedules visits to take parents o in-terested students to break ast and/ or lunch to get to know them and also give them an opportunity to get to know him. In addition, Denman hosts an an-nual guitar estival that includes activities and competitions or high school and college students held on his campus in Oklahoma. Each year, we receive an invitation to attend, and it gives our students an opportunity to visit his school. Denman’s approach to recruiting has been most successful. He holds the record or recruiting the most students from our program. pg. 69 “Make a point of talking to others when you need absolutely nothing from them. Go out of your way to have positive conversations. Be careful not to complain or be overly critical and certainly do not speak poorly of others. Be the ‘Good News Person.’ This idea comes from Matt Denman, a well-known music educator, guitarist, composer, and businessman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Denman regularly exudes the qualities of a Good News Person and is a good model to follow. People genuinely like him and want to spend time with him. Others want to study with him or hear him perform. They are anxious to hear his new compositions and, most importantly, they want to do business with him. Follow Denman’s model and this could be you. If his name seems familiar, Denman was mentioned in Chapter 5 as a model university recruiter. His positive attitude is contagious, and it has proven very successful in attracting students to his programs.” pg. 153
GUITAR SALON INTERNATIONAL
"Matt has a magnetism brought about, I think, by his sheer passion to provide the greatest opportunities he can for the young people of Oklahoma." Matthew Hinsley
ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE
“Young people love community. They love to have fun with their peers,” Denman says. “The camp helps provide that atmosphere.”
SOUNDBOARD MAGAZINE
Featured on cover of Soundboard Magazine
OKLAHOMAN
Canterbury Voices mixes unlikely musical styles in season opener 'Bluegrass and Blue Jeans'
CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE
PICTURE ON A TRAIN Matthew Denman This is a substantial work,... The score tells a story: there’s mist, a train, its whistle,... I feel a good ensemble could make magic out of this «intermediate» piece. (Classical Guitar Magazine)
REVIEW
“Matt Denman is a perfect example of the typical, consummate modern classical guitarist. He is a performer, composer, educator, and overall ambassador for the position our popular instrument holds in Western culture,”
