As director of conducting studies and head of the orchestral music program, he helped make the USC Symphony one of the most respected conservatory ensembles in the nation.
He taught at the Conductors' Institute (New York), the Aspen School of Music, and many of the American Symphony Orchestra League's conducting workshops.
Under Lewis' leadership, the orchestra became fully professional, winning critical acclaim and five ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) awards for adventuresome programming.
He was Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony under Robert Shaw[1][2] Lewis made his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1974, and he has guest-conducted that orchestra in more than 30 concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Hollywood Bowl.
Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Lewis taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa.
In addition, he was the founding music director of the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed at the high school and provided an opportunity for very advanced high-school-aged musicians to perform with a group of their peers.