Today we’d like to introduce you to Lewis Warren, Jr.
Hi Lewis, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all began with an old upright piano in a small Irving apartment. I was three years old and watched your average childhood television shows. I say it was a God moment where something just clicked, and I knew that the songs I heard on TV matched the keys on the piano. After watching the last scene of “Sister Act II,” where Lauryn Hill sang “Joyful Joyful” with the joyous choreography, it propelled me to harmonize with my two little fingers on that melody. Thus, my parents knew this was a gift, and they did everything in their power to get me in front of teachers — all of whom I’m grateful for their aid in the shaping of my gift. Because of this, I had a great ear and could pick up on melodies and harmonies. I also began to write my own songs. A friendly neighbor gave me their keyboard where I heard classical music, and I began playing those pieces by ear also. It wasn’t until I was 7 that I gained classical training from a passionate Russian piano teacher, Elena Tsvetkova, who laid the groundwork for my composition, music theory, music reading, and piano technique. Through her, I won local competitions as well as placing 3rd in an international competition. I also had my first solo concert in Texas and then Cancun, Mexico; and after that, many local performances. From there, I had multiple teachers in between who aided with my progression. It was when I was 10 years old I began studying with Dr. Carol Leone at SMU, and my musical career began to take off: winning competitions, being on America’s Got Talent, playing with the Irving and Dallas Symphony Orchestra (the DSO conducted by Maestro Yaap Van Zweden), working for and playing for the Van Cliburn foundation (as well as Van Cliburn himself), many private house concerts and more. In between that, I often played and lead worship at local churches, small and mega, such as Gateway Church. Through Gateway, I released my first instrumental piano album when I was 12 years old called “Shine on Us,” of which Christian Artist, Kari Jobe, sung on. Also in that year, 2009, I had played my own personal arrangement of the National Anthem for the Texas Motor Speedway and gave my first TEDx talk. In between all of this, I often played at local nursing homes and retirement communities, which always was such a blessing. I was quite a busy little homeschooler. However, my parents always prioritized my brothers and I playing sports, socializing, and staying grounded in our faith. All that to say: my childhood was not perfect as no one’s really is, but it was very positive, and a lot of exciting things happened.
I had to stop playing piano during my junior year to focus on bettering my academics. I attended Summit International Preparatory in Arlington. After not attaining the highest SAT scores and I not being sure on what I wanted to pursue, my mother said to me: “Lewis, you have two options. You can either go to business school or you can practice the piano and pursue music. It’s your choice, but I can’t play the piano for you!” So, I left the charter school after my junior year, reached out to Dr. John Solomons at UTA Arlington for piano lessons, and I practiced my butt off to get to the conservatory level. Dr. Solomons truly nursed me back to health to prepare for the auditions. In that year, 2014, I did dual credit at seminary college and released a Christmas album. I auditioned for the top seven music schools in the nation (the world even) and got accepted into five that I applied to. My choice was the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, where I did my undergrad with pianist Victor Rosenbaum. I did my master’s at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music under pianist Awadagin Pratt, and I most recently graduated from SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts under Dr. Carol Leone who also nursed me back to health. I am honored to have won first place in the MTNA Young Artists division National round as well as the new Ebony Prize founded by pianist and Educator Dr. Leah Claiborne. Through this, I was invited to perform for the Chopin Foundation of the U.S., which will occur November 4th and 5th in Miami. This is a dream come true for me because I absolutely adore Chopin’s music and have always hoped to be able to play for the foundation. Essentially, there have been lots of musical miracles that have occurred in my life. Three TED talks, twice performing for the Nascar races, winning competitions, performing in unique places: I’m so grateful, and it’s too much to recall at times.
I currently reside in the Mid Cities area and teach piano lessons in the Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine areas both privately and under the Florence Music School. Future projects include album-making and local performance engagement. Slowly but surely, I believe that I can make a positive impact in the DFW community. 🙂
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but God has been with me every step of the way. The divorce of my parents was very heartbreaking as well as facing passive-aggressive jealousy or indifference from adults and “friends”. Even now, I sometimes think people expect me to be some macho dude with a giant ego and flaunt my stories and musical successes. No, I actually do my best to be kind and gracious to everyone that I meet, and I think that drives people absolutely crazy!
The young and tragic deaths of dear friends and family have been extremely difficult. Over the past 10 years, I’ve lost about 14 people of whom I felt very close to and love very dearly. 10 0f them being within the past two years. Navigating grief is not easy. I’m grateful for people who have always been in me and my family’s corner to walk with us through these trials. And for the families who experienced these losses, my heart and prayers goes out to you.
Growing up lower middle class when the seeming majority of people in the music industry grow up high-middle class or wealthy has its struggles. As well as being a “minority” proved interesting. However, I cannot really complain because my worth is not in wealth or acceptance. I also have been extremely fortunate to have had the most gracious and benevolent of angels, scholarships, teachers, pastors, friends, etc. I have never felt like I lacked.
All that to say, things are never easy in life. That’s why it’s important to learn how to make things work for oneself. I felt that I have actually said no to a lot of things, and I have faced a lot of nos as well. But as the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” So, besides the personal trials and these external factors, I can only say I’m truly blessed. To those who have been my angels and supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not take it for granted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a pianist. I play classical piano and teach classical piano. I also play jazz, I’m an arranger, a composer, and I’m a worship music director. On top of my piano playing, I’m known for my on-the-spot improvisation, and I can sing – a little. I think I’m most proud of my arranging, improvisation, and being involved with worship. I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, honestly; ask others and see videos of my playing/listen to my albums for yourself. I think that I try to perform from my heart, and I think my pursuance of my faith may set me apart.
All that to say, I love playing piano, and I love teaching classical piano, so if you are interested in my services, hit me up! Hopefully, something can work.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
So, I don’t necessarily embrace only Dallas; I embrace both Dallas and Fort Worth because I’ve lived in and frequent basically every part of the DFW metroplex. I think that DFW is diverse, welcoming, new, and the food is honestly amazing. And for coffee lovers, DFW has over 60 coffee venues that are all unique and delicious! That doesn’t even touch on our amazing BBQ, Tex Mex, and current new restaurants and cuisines. The people are unique, and if you get to know them, they have very big hearts. I love the family culture as well as the cautious respect that I think I’m seeing between welcoming new things and embracing old things. Truly, DFW is where Hot and Cold meet. Hot summers and most recently, cold winters. Passionate political stances, yet I believe we’re all here holding the doors for one another. I honestly hope that’s what it is like at least, because that’s what I experience. I hope that this sentiment rings through stronger and stronger.
I had to stop playing piano during my junior year to focus on bettering my academics. I attended Summit International Preparatory in Arlington. After not attaining the highest SAT scores and not being sure on what I wanted to pursue, my mother said to me: “Lewis, you have two options. You can either go to business school, or you can practice the piano and pursue music. It’s your choice, but I can’t play the piano for you!” So I left the charter school after my junior year, reached out to Dr. John Solomons at UTA Arlington for piano lessons, and I practiced my butt off to get to the conservatory level. Dr. Solomons truly nursed me back to health to prepare for the auditions. In that year, 2014, I did dual credit at seminary college and released a Christmas album. I auditioned for the top seven music schools in the nation (the world even) and got accepted into five that I applied to. My choice was the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, where I did my undergrad with pianist Victor Rosenbaum. I did my Masters at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music under pianist Awadagin Pratt, and I most recently graduated from SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts under Dr. Carol Leone who also nursed me back to health. I am honored to have won first place in the MTNA Young Artists division National round as well as the new Ebony Prize founded by pianist and Educator Dr. Leah Claiborne. Through this, I was invited to perform for the Chopin Foundation of the U.S., which will occur November 4th and 5th in Miami. This is a dream come true for me because I absolutely adore Chopin’s music and have always hoped to be able to play for the foundation. Essentially, there have been lots of musical miracles that have occurred in my life. Three TED talks, twice performing for the Nascar races, winning competitions, performing in unique places: I’m so grateful, and it’s too much to recall at times.
I currently reside in the Mid Cities area and teach piano lessons in the Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine areas both privately and under the Florence Music School. Future projects include album-making and local performance engagement. Slowly but surely, I believe that I can make a positive impact in the DFW community. 🙂
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but God has been with me every step of the way. The divorce of my parents was very heartbreaking as well as facing passive-aggressive jealousy or indiffference from Adults and “friends.” Even now, I sometimes think people expect me to be some macho dude with a giant ego and flaunt my stories and musical successes. No, I actually do my best to be kind and gracious to everyone that I meet, and I think that drives people absolutely crazy!
The young and tragic deaths of dear friends and family have been extremely difficult. Over the past 10 years, I’ve lost about 14 people of whom I felt very close to and love very dearly. 10 0f them being within the past two years. Navigating grief is not easy. I’m grateful for people who have always been in me and my families corner to walk with us through these trials. And for the families who experienced these losses, my heart and prayers goes out to you.
Growing up lower middle class when the seeming majority of people in the music industry grow up high-middle class or wealthy, has it’s struggles. As well as being a “minority” proved interesting. However, I cannot really complain because my worth is not in wealth or acceptance. I also have been extremely fortunate to have had the most gracious and benevolent of angels, scholarships, teachers, pastors, friends, etc. I have never felt like I lacked.
All that to say, things are never easy in life. That’s why it’s important to learn how to make things work for oneself. I felt that I have actually said no to a lot of things, and I have faced a lot of no’s as well. But as the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” So, besides the personal trials and these external factors, I can only say I’m truly blessed. To those who have been my angels and supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not take it for granted.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a pianist. I play classical piano and teach classical piano. I also play jazz, I’m an arranger, a composer, and I’m a worship music director. On top of my piano playing, I’m known for my on-the-spot improvisation, and I can sing – a little. I think I’m most proud of my arranging, improvisation, and being involved with worship. I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, honestly; ask others and see videos of my playing/listen to my albums for yourself. I think that I try to perform from my heart, and I think my pursuance of my faith may set me apart.
All that to say, I love playing piano, and I love teaching classical piano, so if you are interested in my services, hit me up! Hopefully, something can work.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
So I don’t necessarily embrace only Dallas; I embrace both Dallas and Fort Worth because I’ve lived in and frequent basically every part of the DFW metroplex. I think that DFW is diverse, welcoming, new, and the food is honestly amazing. The people are unique, and if you get to know them, they have very big hearts. I love the family culture as well as the cautious respect that I think I’m seeing between welcoming new things and embracing old things. Truly, DFW is where Hot and Cold meet. Hot summers and most recently, cold winters. Passionate political stances, yet I believe we’re all here holding the doors for one another. I honestly hope that’s what it is like at least, because that’s what I experience. I hope that this sentiment rings through stronger and stronger.
Pricing:
- Private Piano Lessons: $80 an Hour*
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lewiswarrenjr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewis.warren.jr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063536982469&locale=sv_SE&paipv=0&eav=AfYZquLE1CqiAEQv0Cde-F6ITqCqbEQaR9g5IE9fgHbGnF7FceMIGV1YZ9T_0g8-aa0
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lewiswarrenjr.5719
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lewlew-5
Image Credits
Jeremy Klefeker
Shirlett Warren
