Justin Lewis was raised in Seminole, Oklahoma where he began trombone in the sixth grade eventually becoming a two time Oklahoma All-State member. After high school, Lewis received a full scholarship to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education. Lewis decided to further his music education and attend University of North Texas in Denton, Texas where he received a Master of Music in Trombone Performance with a musicology emphasis.
While at UNT he studied with Royce Lumpkin and Vern Kagarice. Afterwards, Lewis began his band directing career in Madill, Oklahoma earning the band many honors including a proclamation from the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Within that same 1994 year, Lewis joined the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra as the bass trombone. He still holds this position today. Lewis, along with his wife and three cats and 1 dog, relocated to Wichita Falls Texas in 1997 as band director for Zundy Junior High.
In 2007 Lewis became head band director of Wichita Falls High School where he remained for the next 18 years. While in Texas Lewis was named as the state representative in School Band and Orchestra magazine as one of the “Top 50 Teachers Who Made A Difference” in 2012. Lewis was also inducted into the Seminole High School Hall of Fame during that same year. While under his direction the WFHS band (classified as a 4A band) consistently received top ratings in Concert and Marching band. After 30 years in public education Lewis retired from public school and became the Assistant Director of Bands at East Central University in Ada Oklahoma. He is the Instructor of Trombone, Director of the Brass Choir, assists with the Concert and Marching Bands and performs extensive recruiting and clinics throughout Oklahoma and North Texas.
During his career he has performed with: Ricky Skaggs, the Canadian Brass, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, The Kingston Trio, Chris Brubeck, Wilfred Brimley, and several Van Cliburn gold and silver medalists. Lewis currently resides in Ada with his wife Jennifer and son Miles who is a music student at ECU. When Lewis is not playing or teaching trombone, he enjoys home renovation, spending time with his wife, son, new/old friends and taming the woods on his property.
