Dr. Leslie Alan Denning

Dr. Leslie Alan Denning, 62, of Miami, passed away on Dec. 3, 2024.

Born on Oct. 1, 1962, in Fayetteville, to Leslie Denning Jr. and Maude Evelyn Gregory, Alan was a gifted musician and educator. He earned his undergraduate degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was awarded the prestigious Bryan Scholarship and received numerous academic honors. He continued his studies at the University of Miami, earning both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda for his outstanding academic achievements and further honed his craft through performance and language studies in Salzburg, Austria.

As a performer, Alan's career spanned a variety of prestigious organizations, including Pro Arte Hispano, National Opera, University of Miami Opera Theater, University of North Carolina Opera Workshop, Florida Grand Opera, Greater Miami Opera Performance Ensemble, Viscaya's Cornucopia of the Arts, Bel Canto Opera, The Rooftop Jingles, Church by the Sea, Temple Beth Shalom and many more. His passion for music and education led him to teach at several institutions, including Miami Edison Senior High School, Miami-Dade College, South Miami Middle School Magnet Center for the Arts, and New World School of the Arts. His dedication to teaching earned him Teacher of the Year honors at multiple schools, as well as, recognition by the Grammy Foundation as one of the nation's top music educators. Alan also contributed to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, helping to refine national certification standards for music education.

Dr. Denning was predeceased by his parents, Leslie Denning Jr. and Maude Evelyn Gregory. He is survived by his husband, Christian Gutierrez, his extended South Florida family and his beloved dog, Beau.

A service will be held at Trinity Cathedral in Miami on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the YoungArts Foundation in his honor.