Lewis Grey’s musical journey began at the age of four when his incessant plunking at the piano forced his parents to give him lessons. After exploring the piano, violin and cello he found the trumpet. He learned from Thomas Eves and held an internship with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO), before commencing his studies at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) with Mark Carter, completing his Bachelor of Music in 2023.
After moving to Wellington in 2021, Lewis performed with a variety of ensembles, including the CSO, Wellington Brass Band, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), and Orchestra Wellington, where he is currently Associate Principal Trumpet.
Lewis was a member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra from 2019-2023 and was Principal Trumpet in 2023 under Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero. Also in 2023, he performed the Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto with the Wellington Youth Orchestra, of which he was Principal Trumpet, after winning their Concerto Competition.
The NZSO awarded Lewis an Alex Lindsay grant in 2022, and in 2023 he was awarded a Therle Drake Award for Excellence in Music by NZSM.
Lewis is in his second year at ANAM in 2025, studying with Yoram Levy and David Elton.
Lewis is passionate about all music, from opera to avant garde jazz, but he aspires to be an orchestral trumpet player. He is excited to continue his studies at ANAM, and to work around Melbourne and Australasia doing what he loves.
Outside of music, Lewis is a passionate reader, enjoys hiking in the wilderness, cooking classic dishes, and is almost never seen without a gourd of Mate in his hand.
FROM: NZ / Aotearoa.
Lewis is supported by ANAM Syndicate donor Geoffrey Clarke.
Photo by Pia Johnson