The Eric Lewis Memorial Fund

Celeste Makoff is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Katherine Dorn Lewis.

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Dear friends,

I've created this memorial fund in honor of Eric Lewis and his wonderful wife, Katherine Dorn Lewis. As many of you know, Eric was an extraordinarily gifted musician and beautiful human being who inspired and touched the lives of countless students and fellow artists. He was a beloved professor, husband, brother, father, grandfather and uncle. Anyone who met him would instantly recognize his warm heart, empathy, and resounding passion for music and world peace. Many know that Eric's legacy as a violinist and teacher is a truly incredible one:

Born in the Bronx to Robert and Lillian Lewis, he was educated at the Manhattan School of Music. He was a founding member and first violinist of the Manhattan String Quartet for 45 years and toured the world extensively with them. The quartet played the role of cultural ambassador to the USSR after glasnost, and was the first American quartet to play Shostakovich in Russia. The quartet's recordings of the full Shostakovich cycle were highly acclaimed, the group being described as a "national treasure" by Time Magazine. The quartet held many residencies, including Music Mountain. Mr. Lewis was also a founding member of the Prometheus piano quintet. He was Professor of Music at Western Connecticut State University for 35 years, where he was cherished by his students as a passionate and committed teacher who made classical music come alive. He was involved in the founding of the Ives Center in Danbury, CT and many other initiatives to enrich the local culture. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Jamie Lewis, grandson's Xavier and Jaxon Lewis, his brother Roy and his wife Maggie, his ex-wife Judith Glyde, and many nieces and nephews.

I set up this page to help the Lewis family cover costs that will help honor Eric's memory. Like many others, he had a profound impact on my life and I hope this will help carry on his amazing legacy.

<3 Celeste

(Katherine Dorn Lewis and Eric Lewis)