Meet Leylis Burnette

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leylis Burnette a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leylis, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism is rooted in quiet observation… in the small, almost invisible moments of growth that unfold before my eyes. When I watch a child, teenager, or adult mix colors for the first time or whisper a new word in a different language to be adquired with curiosity, I’m reminded that transformation doesn’t happen in grand gestures, but in gentle, steady ripples.

Growing up in Peru, I learned to find light in unexpected places, in the textures of the desert, in the hum of the ocean, in the stories my family carried. That sense of hope, of finding beauty even in stillness or struggle, has never left me.

With Art Lingo Speak, I’ve simply extended that belief: that when art and language meet, they create a quiet alchemy, opening doors for students and families to connect more deeply with themselves, each other, and the world around them. My optimism comes from that space… The one where creation, learning, and belonging are always possible.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Leylis Burnette, also known as LeylisMR in the art world. I am a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and the founder of Art Lingo Speak, a bilingual art initiative that blends creative expression with immersive language learning for kids, teens, and even adults. My journey began in Peru, where my love for art was rooted in the textures, colors, and cultural stories that surrounded me. After moving to the United States (a multicultural and cosmopolitan country), I realized there was a beautiful chance to merge my two passions: art and languages to create a space where passion, creativity and cultural connection could grow together.

What makes Art Lingo Speak special is the way it transforms the classroom into a studio of various possibilities. Children don’t just learn a language (Spanish, french, Italian, Japanese, german, etc), they experience it through hands-on, process-based art projects that inspire imagination, confidence, and a natural connection to language. For teens and adults, our programs take a more exploratory approach, weaving in cultural appreciation and personal expression while building language fluency while acquiring art knowledge and skills alongside.

We’re proud that Art Lingo Speak partners with families, schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations, creating opportunities to expand our reach and impact. Right now, I’m most excited about expanding our programs Growing Voices and Mini Masters programs to toddlers and PreK students (who are in need of a space to start connecting with their inner voice and new skills), and developing community workshops that bring families together to create and learn in shared spaces. We’re also working on a seasonal bilingual art showcase, where students of all ages will have the chance to display their creations and celebrate their progress as a community.

At its heart, Art Lingo Speak is more than an educational program… it’s a movement that believes art and language are bridges. They connect us to our inner roots, to each other, and to a deeper sense of who we are.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Interesting questions… three things have shaped my path the most: resilience, curiosity, and authenticity.

Resilience has been my anchor. moving from Peru to the U.S., starting over, and building a career as an artist and educator came with countless challenges. What kept me moving forward was embracing failure as part of growth and learning to adapt without losing my vision.

Curiosity is what keeps my work alive. Whether in my studio or designing programs for Art Lingo Speak, I’ve never stopped learning (experimenting with new materials, exploring language acquisition methods, or finding innovative ways to engage students)

And authenticity… that’s the core of it all! Staying true to my voice, both as an artist and as an educator, has allowed my work to connect with people in a meaningful way. The moment you create or teach for validation rather than expression, the spark fades.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is this: nurture your resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities, feed your curiosity by staying open and learning constantly, and protect your authenticity fiercely. The world will always try to tell you what you should be, but your uniqueness is your greatest strength.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely. At Art Lingo Speak, collaboration is at the heart of our mission. We’re always open to partnering with schools, cultural institutions, local businesses, and community organizations that believe in the power of creativity, language, and cultural connection.

We’re also excited to connect with fellow artists, educators, and creatives who share our passion for bilingual education and artistic expression, people who want to help us build spaces where children, teens, and even adults can explore identity and culture through art.

Together, we can continue building bridges through art and language!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artlingospeak.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artlingospeak/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artlingospeak
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artlingospeak/

Image Credits

Photography by © LeylisMR Artist, and © Art Lingo Speak! Bilingua Art Program Initiative.