Terk Lewis

Terk Lewis (Mansfield, OH) began his formal ballet training at the age of 17 with Tony Calucci at The Dance Extension in Columbus, OH. He then went on to earn his BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University. While attending WMU he performed in works by Antony Tudor, Frank Chaves and Ron DeJesus, among others. He then went on to join Eisenhower Dance Detroit where he performed in works by Laurie Eisenhower, Stephanie Pizzo, Eddy Ocampo, and Joel Hall. Lewis went on to join Complexions Contemporary Ballet under Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. While with the company for seven years he had the opportunity to perform works by both directors, as well as Jae Man Joo, William Forsyth and Marcelo Gomes. Lewis became an artist in residence with the company in 2017. Lewis then went on to dance in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” on NBC (Choreographed by Camille Brown) and perform in “Peter Pan” and “Rock of Ages” at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. He also appeared in the dance short film “Sc7nario”, promo material for the “Jesus Christ Superstar” National Tour (Choreographed by Drew McOnie) and “Cross Me” by Ed Sheeran. He has also done industrial work for Hanes, Hyundai, FujiFilm, V Magazine and Nickelodeon. Most recently, Lewis danced in the Lin Manuel Miranda Feature Film “In The Heights” (Choreographed by Chris Scott), at the Met Gala (Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler), in the Musical Series “Up Here” on Hulu (Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh), and at Radio City Music Hall for NBC (Choreographed by Shannon Lewis). 

As a choreographer, Lewis assisted Jae Man Joo while creating “circular” for Ailey 2 and also assisted Jill Johnson on choreographing the opera “Crossing” that premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He has choreographed his own commissioned works for The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, Steps Professional Performance Workshops, Bryant Park NYC, The Steps Conservatory, The Joffrey Ballet School, Black Boys Dance Too, and Western Michigan University.

Lewis has taught at Steps On Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Academy (NYC, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, New Orleans), The Joffrey Ballet School, Harlem School of The Arts, New York City Dance Alliance, The Alvin Ailey Extension Program, Debbie Allen Dance Academy's On Pointe intensive, The American College Dance Festival, Plie For The Arts (Jamaica), Atmosphere Dance Events (Ukraine), Vilnius Cultural Center (Lithuania), and Western Michigan University.

@TerkLewis