Daniel Lewis Scholarship Fund

In 1956, Daniel Lewis was the founding music director of the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed at a high school and provided an opportunity for very advanced high-school-aged musicians to perform with a group of their peers.

He completed his education at San Diego State College. Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Lewis taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa. Its band won many awards in various competitions under his leadership. He also taught at Grossmont College in El Cajon.

From 1971 to 1982, Mr. Lewis was Music Director of the Pasadena Symphony. 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 twice served as Music Director of the Ojai Music Festival, Music Director of the Cabrillo Music Festival, and musical advisor to the Glendale Symphony. He was Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony under Robert Shaw.

Lewis made his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1974, and he guest-conducted that orchestra in more than 30 concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Hollywood Bowl. He also was a guest conductor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Louisville Symphony, as well as several other American and European ensembles.