Born in 1944 in Vallejo, California, he received a bachelor's degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and a master's and doctorate from The Juilliard School.

From 1971 until his death, Lewis was organist and choirmaster at Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, where he led the adult choir, as well as choral and instrumental programs for youth.

During a Chinese/American Festival in Taipei's main concert hall, he played the organ and later conducted the orchestra and chorus in 20th century works, including a world premiere by the Chinese composer Gordon Shi-Wen Chin.

He made his National Symphony Orchestra debut in December 2002, guest conducting Handel's Messiah at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Lewis received the Paul Hume Award from the Levine School of Music, for "outstanding commitment to enriching the cultural life of Washington".