OKCPS Teacher Nominated For Grammy

We know Oklahoma teachers are the best, but not many can say they are Grammy nominated.

Matt Denman teaches guitar to students at Classen SAS, and when he’s not teaching guitar at Classen he’s teaching guitar at Oklahoma City University.

“I love teaching, and it’s my great passion in life,” said Denman.

“His reach expands far beyond the walls of this school,” said Christine Muller, visual and performing art director for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

The guitar program is available in most of the secondary schools in the district.

“What the guitar programs do is it is a great onboarding program for those students that are a little more shy, and they don’t want to be in a big group, they can join a guitar class,” said Muller.

When Denman heard about the Grammy’s music educator award, he, like thousands of other teachers around the world, submitted his name.

“I really didn’t think anything would come of it, so I was thrilled that this happened,” said Denman.

Denman was not only selected for educator award Grammy, he is a quarter finalist, but he almost missed it.

“I honestly thought it was spam, I didn’t think it was real when I first read it,” said Denman.

The selection process is far from over, and to keep himself distracted he is working on his summer guitar program.

“Guitarists from Oklahoma City public schools and guitarists from all over the world come to study with a very famous classical guitar group called Los Romeros,” said Denman.

Denman is passionate about his love for the guitar and sharing that love with others.

“It can sound silly, but I really think it can help people live a better life, a happier life, because I know it has for me,” said Denman.

The Romero Guitar Institute program is June 12 – 18. For more information and to sign up visit www.romero-institute.com