What This Work Actually Does

Dear Friend of the Arts,

I want to be direct.

The Leyenda Foundation exists to create access to high-level artistic experiences that most students would never encounter otherwise—and to do it in a way that treats artists and educators with real respect.

That work is already underway.

At the Leyenda Convention, students and teachers work alongside leading artists across classical, jazz, flamenco, and contemporary styles. This is not passive. They rehearse, perform, collaborate, and engage directly with people at the highest level of the field.

One educator described it this way:

“The Leyenda Convention is the quintessential event… the variety and depth offered to musically, personally, and collectively grow is of the highest caliber.” — Christopher Perez

Another said:

“I've never seen teachers lifted up like this in my entire life.” — Marcus Kester

And from the artist community:

“A wildly successful event… an incredible lineup of stellar talent from many diverse styles of guitar… a warm and friendly community vibe.” — Tony Morris

Real Access. Real Mentorship. Real Change.

Inside that environment, individual moments begin to change direction. When we brought Laura Snowden to Oklahoma City, students encountered a level of artistry and perspective that reshaped how they think about their own work:

“Getting to see Laura Snowden play… was an experience I’ll never forget… the education and sense of community they build.” – Haden
“I left with a new favorite artist… My brother actually walked away wanting to learn classical guitar… If Leyenda hadn’t offered free tickets, I likely never would have had this experience.” – RoseMerrie
“Leyenda has given me incredible opportunities… These opportunities are accessible to everyone… it has made a huge impact on me.” – Max

This is the point. Not exposure for its own sake. Not programming for optics. We make deliberate decisions to remove cost as a barrier. That is what allows students to step into rooms they would otherwise never enter.

Leadership Investment Opportunities

A gift at the leadership level creates immediate, measurable access. We designate a limited number of lead and institute sponsors to preserve the integrity and visibility of each partnership.

$25,000 — Convention Access Lead Sponsor Supports approximately 80+ students; includes naming recognition as Lead Sponsor of Student Access.
$15,000 — Institute Sponsor Supports 50 students across Spark, Charlie Christian, or John Knowles Institutes; includes naming recognition for a designated cohort.
$10,000 — Access Sponsor Supports 33 students (General Institutes) or 10 students (Romero Institute); includes naming recognition tied to the group.
$5,000 — Student Access Partner Supports 15–16 students; includes acknowledgment as a supporting partner in student access initiatives.

Your support directly funds:

Student access to concerts, masterclasses, and institutes.
Residencies with internationally recognized artists.
A collaborative model that prioritizes growth over competition.
The infrastructure required to sustain this work at a high level.

We are building something with permanence and standards—not a short-term series of events. If this aligns with what you believe arts education should be, I would value your support.

If you are interested in underwriting at one of these levels, I would welcome a direct conversation. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

Matthew Denman Executive Director, Leyenda Foundation 405-535-7940

www.leyenda-foundation.com

Convention Campaign