In Memoriam: Alice Joy Lewis (1942-2020)

Alice Joy Lewis, much-beloved Suzuki trailblazer, violin teacher, and trainer, passed away about two years ago in Ottawa, Kansas. Mrs. Lewis founded the Ottawa Suzuki Strings in 1966 as well as the Ottawa Suzuki Institute Mid-Southwest and the SOUND ENCOUNTERS programs. Mrs. Lewis dedicated her life to teaching and was a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In North America, her teaching activities took her to several locations in Canada and across the U.S. from Alaska to Hawaii and coast to coast. She taught at the Suzuki Method World Conventions in Dublin, Ireland, and Matsumoto, Japan, as well as at the Pan Pacific Conference in Adelaide, Australia. Mrs. Lewis held both music education and violin performance degrees from the University of Kansas where she studied with Raymond Cerf. She also studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. Below are tributes from some of the people she shaped.

“I met Alice Joy Lewis in the early 1970s as we were both starting our Suzuki studios—she in Ottawa, Kansas, and I in Independence, Missouri.  In 1972, working with Eleanor Allen in Lawrence, Kansas, and others in the area to spread Suzuki ideas to more teachers, we offered the very first Kansas Suzuki Day Workshop for local students. In the summer of 1974, Alice Joy and her staff presented our area with the first Ottawa Suzuki Institute Mid-Southwest. Emulating the Suzuki principles of educating children with love and knowledge that every child can be educated, she helped countless children, parents, and teachers to understand those same principles.

Throughout her 40 plus years of teaching with the Suzuki approach, Alice Joy continued that spirit in the Ottawa Suzuki program, in the annual Ottawa Suzuki Institute, as well as in the various institutes where she was invited to teach both students and teachers. Teachers flocked to her Teacher Training classes to learn from her calm and insightful demeanor. Numerous students enjoyed the Ottawa Institute for the varied musical experiences and other activities such as recreation, talent shows, and Alice Joy’s personal participation in them. She also became known for her inspiring lectures at institutes and conferences which were widely attended. 

Alice Joy was a founding member of the Heart of America Suzuki Association in 1979, which is now a Chapter Affiliate of the SAA, was an active SAA member all her life, and served in several leadership capacities. We greatly miss her spirit and gifts. 

Throughout the years, we became very good friends, visiting frequently and working together toward the institutes. I also experienced her teaching style personally by taking violin lessons from her to better serve my violin students. I had the pleasure to teach her youngest son on the cello.”

-Jean Dexter, former colleague

“Mrs. Lewis has taught us how to do many skills. She encouraged us to show delight in our playing, and she did her very best to make a difference in our lives. She also instructed us to only practice on the days we ate, but most important of all, she taught us that every child can learn and all children have great abilities. The most memorable places we performed at were the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts, the Johnson County Community College, The Maple Leaf Festival, the Sirloin Stockade restaurant, SOUND ENCOUNTERS summer camp, and the Carnegie Hall in Ottawa, Kansas. The greatest gift she brought to my life was being in my life.”

-Mary So, former student

“Our family will remember Mrs. Alice Joy Lewis as a Suzuki Trailblazer for the Heartland Region. She had a dedicated heart to Dr. Suzuki’s concept that every child can learn. We saw her weekly for group classes and ensemble, where she always wore a contagious smile. She always enjoyed Christmas time and her Christmas concerts brought so much joy to the Ottawa, Kansas area. At our solo recitals, she would always remind us that it is not where we are in our Suzuki book, but that our performance of the polished piece we played is a gift to the audience, our best gift.”

-Connie So, former student