A native North Carolinian, Dr. Leslie Alan Denning completed his undergraduate studies in music at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, sponsored in part by the prestigious Bryan Scholarship and various awards for academic achievement. Dr. Denning accepted scholarships for graduate studies at the University of Miami, completing the Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees with recognition by Pi Kappa Lambda for his achievements. His other studies include performance and language studies in Salzburg, Austria and master classes with prominent names in vocal music such as Eleanor Steber and Birgit Nilsson. Dr. Denning’s performance experience spans the worlds of art song as well as opera. His teaching has been recognized by faculty and staff with Teacher of the Year awards at his school sites, and by the Grammy Foundation as one of the top music educators in the United States for two consecutive years.