John Levis

John Levis, a native Philadelphian, graduated from Philadelphia Musical Academy (now University of the Arts) in 1980 Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in musical composition.

Since that time John has been active as a pianist, synthesist and composer. He has worked as accompanist and composer for the dance community in the Philadelphia area. He holds a full time position at the University of the Arts School of Dance.

In 1995 he was asked by instructors Ana Marie Forsythe and Marjorie Perces from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center to compose and perform a piano score for two instructional videos. They are called the Dance Technique of Lester Horton: Intermediate Level and the Dance Technique of Lester Horton: Advanced Level respectively. They are available on DVD and are distributed by Kultur Video.

John has had works in collaboration with Philadanco! and the Koresh Dance Company performed at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Suzanne Roberts Theater, both in Philadelphia and the Joyce Theater in New York. In 2018 and 2019 the Koresh Dance Company toured nationwide with two ballets, both with my original scores. They were titled Inner Sun and La Danse respectively.

In the summer of 2022 Mr. Levis will be celebrating his 25th year as music director at the School at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. He continues to serve as an improvising pianist and synthesist and composer.