about us
Michael Lewanski
Michael Lewanski is on the conducting faculty of the DePaul University School of Music, where he is the conductor of the Chamber Orchestra, ensemble 20+ (20th and 21st century music), and the Wind Ensemble; he also works closely with the Symphony Orchestra. Apart from his work with ensembles at DePaul, he has been the assistant conductor of Cliff Colnot at the Civic Orchestra of Chicago since 2006. He was recently appointed conductor of the Columbia College Chicago-sponsored Columbia Community Symphony Orchestra, which mixes university students and community members.
A fierce advocate of contemporary music, Michael is conductor of acclaimed Chicago-based ensemble dal niente; he has also conducted the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), the Fifth House Ensemble, and the Anaphora ensemble. He has conducted over 50 world premieres and numerous important second performances.
A native of Savannah, Georgia, he made his conducting debut at 13 with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra. At 16, he was the youngest student ever accepted into the conducting class of the legendary Ilya Musin at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia.
Michael attended Yale University, where his studies included conducting with Lawrence Leighton Smith and piano with Sara Laimon. He was music director of the Yale Bach Society Orchestra and conductor of the Yale College Opera Company.
His post-Yale education featured extensive and in-depth conducting study with Dr. Cliff Colnot, focusing on detailed rehearsal techniques and preparation of all kinds of ensembles in a diverse array of repertoire.