A summer guitar convention will offer players, scholars and educators of various musical styles and abilities from around the world a chance to learn from the βRoyal Family of Guitar.β
Registration is now open for the next , which will be held June 29 to July 7 at ΒιΆΉΙη.
The Leyenda Convention is an acclaimed multi-faceted music and arts event that transforms OCU into a global center for musical excellence and mentorship. It incorporates the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute for classical music with a jazz guitar institute, a professional development institute, fingerstyle guitar and Leyenda Spark, a pre-college fellowship program. New in 2026 is Leyenda Dance, a series of flamenco dance performances, workshops and masterclasses.
The Leyenda Convention is a unique convergence of several distinct institutes, designed to foster cross-pollination between genres and disciplines. Led by Director Matt Denman and rooted in a philosophy of artistic generosity, the convention offers deep specialization alongside shared communal experiences.
- Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute: Honoring the legacy of the Romero family, this classical program offers intensive masterclasses and private instruction. Participants have the rare opportunity to rehearse and perform concerti with the world-class instructors carrying on the traditions of the βRoyal Family of the Guitar.β
- Charlie Christian Jazz Institute: Led by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Mark Whitfield and others, this institute celebrates the spirit of the ΒιΆΉΙη-born jazz pioneer. It immerses participants in improvisation, groove and ensemble communication, featuring one of the nationβs few dedicated jazz guitar orchestras.
- John Knowles Acoustic Fingerstyle Institute: Focused on fingerstyle technique, arranging and composition, these sessions honor the craftsmanship and expressive potential of solo and collaborative acoustic performance.
- Leyenda Dance: Immersive workshops in flamenco featuring the legendary educator Erika Carmen Reyes-VΓ‘squez, connecting participants with the passionate, celebratory style.
- Leyenda Spark youth institute: Committed to eliminating financial and geographic barriers, Spark offers free, high-quality mentorship and artistic guidance to pre-college students, including those from ΒιΆΉΙη Public Schools. Participants receive coaching from the conventionβs international artists.
Leyenda is committed to nurturing the whole artist through innovative programs focused on longevity, opportunity and artistic sustainability. The convention includes sessions dedicated to wellness and performance health, career development and arts management.
βOur vision is to create a βliving roomβ where specialized instruction at the highest level meets the constant flow of artistic and philosophical conversation,β Denman said. βThe convergence of classical, jazz, acoustic and now flamenco on one campus creates a truly transformative experience. We are ready to expand that magic and welcome even more people into the Leyenda family.β
For program descriptions, artist rosters and registration for the upcoming Leyenda Convention, please visit .
