In November 2019, banker-turned-nonprofit executive Letatia Teykl took the helm at the Levitt Pavilion. Since then, she’s steered the popular downtown venue through more than 650 concerts, not to mention the pandemic, completion of the Levitt’s hospitality center, new cultural celebrations and initiatives, and the launch of DreamFest, a three-day community festival. The 2026 Levitt series starts this month, so we caught up with Teykl as she heads into her seventh season:
Arlington Today: For those who have never visited, what is the Levitt experience like?
Letatia Teykl: “In a word—magical. It’s an outdoor concert experience where you can gather with family and friends, bring your chairs, and hear live music you’d normally have to purchase a ticket to enjoy—in a beautiful and safe space.”
AT: What made you decide to pursue the Levitt position back in 2019?
LT: “Music has always been part of my life. My parents loved live music and started taking me to concerts early on—at the age of 13, I got to meet Willie Nelson and other Texas country stars. As an adult, I’ve found ways to bring live music to almost every job and volunteer role I’ve had. I love that my work at the Levitt allows me to share the joy of music and connection across our community.”
AT: What do you remember about your first Levitt events?
LT: “My first event was Parade of Lights. Seeing all those people gathered made me think, ‘What more can we do? How can we dream bigger?’ Due to the pandemic, my first live concert didn’t happen until the following August—Gary P. Nunn, Randy Rogers and David Lee Garza, all favorites. Everyone was seated in social distancing squares, so it looked different, but the atmosphere was still vibrant.”
AT: What are your favorite moments over the years?
LT: “It’s hard to choose because there are so many. I love concerts featuring personal favorites like Abraham Alexander, William Clark Greene, Scooter Brown Band, and so many others. Tejano nights are special—the crowds, the cool beats, everyone dancing. It’s also been amazing to have my two young granddaughters, who play guitar, cello and piano, periodically join me on the stage. I have enjoyed watching their love of music grow by having such awesome experiences at the Levitt.”
AT: As the Levitt exec, what are you the most proud of?
LT: “So many things. Share the Stage—giving more artists access to perform and adding opening acts to make Levitt concerts even bigger. Levitt Youth Spotlight, where we’re elevating young talent. Growing DreamFest from one day to three. Supporting the arts community through more than 100 artist contracts paid each year. Introducing the Hispanic Heritage Celebration and Arlington Juneteenth Celebration. Securing donor funding to pay off the Levitt Center and launching a major improvement initiative tied to our 20th anniversary are also big milestones.
And just the range of what happens on our stage—from a six-year-old local artist to legends like Styx or KC and the Sunshine Band. Our tiny team can compete with any venue, and we prove that every night.”
AT: What are some of the Levitt’s challenges?
LT: “When you’re busy doing the work, it’s hard to stop and raise money. We have to constantly remind people that while the concerts are free, producing them is not.”
AT: What advice do you have for other leaders?
LT: “Be open to listening and ready for change. If you stay in one place, you’ll get left behind. Look for opportunities to partner with people who want to be on the same train as you—people who care about the community and have that entrepreneurial spirit.”
AT: What’s the next big thing for Levitt Arlington?
LT: “I’m thrilled to report that we will receive funding from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and the Levitt Family Foundation to replace and significantly improve our production capabilities, security system, and facility infrastructure, thus helping the Levitt elevate its game for the next decade. This is a major overhaul that will start this fall, leading into our 20th anniversary. Stay tuned!”
AT: Let’s do something fun. What are three things on your bedside table, three artists on your playlist, and three favorite places to eat?
LT: “Diet Coke, my phone, and Jesus Calling. On my playlist—Ella Langley, William Clark Greene and Bailey Zimmerman. Restaurants—I can’t pick just three! Cafe Americana, El Primo’s, Taqueria Acapulquito Bar and Grill, Candlelite Inn … it just depends on what I’m in the mood for.”
AT: What can we expect from the 2026 season?
LT: “We’re starting on a high note with Uncle Lucius and Tejano legend Jay Perez. Salsa Nights are back, along with our expanded Praise and Worship Night, headlined by Matthew West. DreamFest has an incredible lineup, and we’re celebrating five years of both Juneteenth and Hispanic Heritage. A new event, Texas Made Songs, debuts in June, and in the fall we’ll host the Arlington Nonprofit Village as part of North Texas Giving Day.
And that’s just a few highlights. The start of a new season is always so joyful. People are hugging, reconnecting and just happy to be back at the Levitt. We can’t wait!”
Levitt’s free concert series starts April 24. Find out more at levittpavilionarlington.org.
