From the “Ouachitonian”: Ryan Lewis

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March 18, 2020 - Rachel Mills

Previously published in the 2019 Ouachitonian yearbook

Dr. Ryan Lewis is the associate professor of percussion at Ouachita Baptist University.

Percussion is Lewis’ primary instrument. He has performed in many different professional symphony orchestras and made appearances with various music groups. Originally from South Carolina, Lewis started his music career at a very early age.

“I began piano lessons in the third grade and played percussion in middle school band,” Lewis said.

Before coming to Ouachita, Lewis taught music at the elementary school level and directed his youth group at his church. He then went on to earn his doctorate in percussion performance. Lewis now has been teaching at Ouachita for 10 years. Lewis knew he wanted to teach others whenever he was in middle school.

“In seventh grade band, we had to do scale testing, and the people in my section would sometimes practice or just needed help before they went to take their test,” said Lewis. “I had played piano, so I had a little bit of background, and I would teach them as quickly and as best as I could. I remember feeling so happy whenever they would come from taking their test and did well. They came out excited and proud of what they had done. I can’t even describe the feeling, it’s just a content feeling that I helped them succeed.”

Over the course of a year, Lewis puts on an average of 11 performances at Ouachita. Those performances include the Tiger Steel band, percussion ensembles, the PRISM concert and football games for the drumline marching band performances.