Rodney Lewis

Rodney Lewis serves as Professor of Music and Program Director of Music at Columbia International University, a position he has held since 1990. He concurrently acts as Music Director and Parish Musician at Church of the Apostles in Columbia, SC, integrating his academic and ecclesiastical musical leadership.

His educational credentials include:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Guitar Performance from the University of South Carolina
• Master of Music (MM) in Guitar Performance from the University of South Carolina
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Education from Alderson Broaddus University

Dr. Lewis specializes in classical guitar performance, with extensive experience as a studio session musician across diverse genres including blues, rock, and folk. His compositional work focuses on Anglican liturgical music, choral settings of Psalms, and adaptations of poetry by George Herbert and Gerard Manley Hopkins. His research philosophy centers on music as a unifying force—bridging worship, evangelism, and community building through artistic expression that dissolves perceived dichotomies between Christian and secular life.

As an educator, he mentors students in discovering music's role as both parable for the Christian life and practical tool for societal engagement. His program leadership at CIU spans curriculum development and performance pedagogy, though specific grant details remain undocumented.

Dr. Lewis actively collaborates with musical ensembles including the Fretworks Series at Charleston's Piccolo Spoleto Festival and the band Grace Monkey, while directing church music teams at Church of the Apostles.