Joseph Lewis

Level: ElementaryLevel: MiddleLevel: High SchoolJazz/Stage/PopularMusical TheaterChoirs (SSA, SATB, TTBB, etc)General MusicVocal MusicJazz/Pop/Show ChoirA'Capella ChoirDigital Music PedagogyNotation SoftwareFretted InstrumentsInstructional DesignClassroom TechnologyClassroom ManagementMusic TheoryConductingPeer LeadershipPublic RelationsMusic HistorySmall Schools
Written By Dr. Elisa Janson Jones
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With ten years experience in music education, Joe Lewis is a passionate educator specializing in musical theatre, choral music, SEL/DEIB initiatives, avoiding teacher burnout, and middle school general music.

Joe's passion is collaboration—the opportunity to partner with other creative and dedicated minds in order to make lasting and sincere change is his greatest joy, and that joy leads him to avidly forge sincere and trusting partnerships with my colleagues. Joe believes the role of a teacher is to prepare students to be conscientious members of society and that the music classroom is an ideal setting for kids to learn and develop the requisite skills to make that society just and equitable for all. As a passionate advocate for SEL and DEIB integration into schools, Joe is excited to collaborate with like minded educators to promote a thriving educational culture.

Outside of the classroom, Joe has had an extensive career as a professional actor and singer around the Chicago Area. A Jeff Award nominee, he is a sought-after recording artist, cabaret soloist, and actor; recent favorite performances include The 24th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf) with Music Theatre Works, Girlfriend (Will) with PrideArts, and Assassins (Balladeer) with Wee Productions. According to one critic,"...it is Lewis whose performance is so spectacular that he could easily be on Broadway; he’s just that good! His dynamic energy, animated facial expressions, and pleasant yet forceful singing voice are an absolute joy to behold!"

Joe received his Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University, studying voice with Dr. Sammy G. Scifres and choral methods with Dr. J. Scott Ferguson; he went on to receive his Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music, where his graduate research incorporated Stanislavsky's acting methods into the choral rehearsal setting.

 
 
 

  • My philosophy of education has grown and changed in myriad ways since I began teaching in 2014. During the COVID lockdown, I only saw my students for 15 minutes each week over Zoom; this limited time frame made me really examine how I prioritize my content and curricular goals. Before, I’d always thought about music as being the center of my curriculum, and then loved the “bonus factors” of learning music: teamwork, SEL, creativity, etc.; with such limited time together, I realized that I wanted to prioritize the students’ personal growth over their musical growth, so I rearranged my curriculum to have social justice and social-emotional wellness at the center and using music and performance as a lens for students to grow in those areas.

    I know that in each class that comes through my program I have students who are passionate performers who will go on to study music after they graduate from my school, possibly going so far as to pursue careers in the arts; at the same time, I recognize that most of my students will not choose a career path in music but still have a great need for learning creative self-expression. With this dichotomy in mind, I truly believe that all music classrooms should foster “musical amateurism”—a true love of musical creation and consumption—so I design my curricula to spark curiosity, kindle joy, and promote accessible means of making music. I’ve found that this focus establishes a foundation for deep theoretical understanding, substantial skill development, and a sincere sense of achievement for all learners. In my classes, we focus on music as a means of tapping into our own emotional experiences and understanding those of others. I want students to leave my program knowing that they have the ability to contribute in any musical setting, be it a professional performing opportunity, a community ensemble, or a casual conversation about current pop music.

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Dr. Elisa Janson Jones

Dr. Elisa Jones designs and scales learning systems for organizations and individuals. With an EdD in Instructional Design, an MBA in Strategy, and 20+ years building education platforms, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution experience.

She works at the intersection of people, systems, and technology—helping leaders and learners see what's actually working and what needs to change. Her approach is diagnostic, grounded in real-world constraints, and focused on outcomes that stick.

Learn more about her work at sovereign.plus, elisajones.ai, and the Music Teacher Guild.

https://elisajanson.com
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