Rob Lewis Named Berklee Ensemble Department Artist in Residence

Record producer, musician, and film composer Rob Lewis '94 has been named an artist in residence in the Ensemble Department at Berklee College of Music.

Since 2002, Lewis has worked as the musical director, arranger, and producer for five-time Grammy Award–winning artist Christina Aguilera. The 20-year music industry veteran has also collaborated with and directed tours for groups such as New Kids on the Block, Toni Braxton, Babyface, and Fifth Harmony. 

A 2007 recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Lewis has worked with the college on a number of projects over the years. When the opportunity arrived to have a musical director as an artist in residence for the Ensemble Department, chair Sean Skeete immediately thought of Lewis. His talent, vast experience, and ability to work at a high level perfectly matched the attributes sought by Skeete, as well as the opportunity to connect students with the industry and give them real-life experience.

In December 2018, Lewis held auditions and chose the repertoire for the selected students to perform at Berklee’s Career Jam concert on April 5, as well as at the college’s commencement concert on May 11. Career Jam will culminate in a concert celebrating “godmother of the music industry” Sylvia Rhone and many of the genre-spanning, world-renowned artists she has launched and worked with throughout her career.

Students are rehearsing weekly with Ensemble Department faculty members Danielle Scott and Tyrone Chase in the musical and performance styles of the artists Lewis has selected from Rhone's impressive catalogue. Led by Lewis, the concert will feature the students performing the music of Missy Elliott, Camila Cabello, Tracy Chapman, J.J. Fad, and Jason Mraz.