Meet Olivia Lewis | Saxophonist & Worship Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Choosing an “artistic” career for me means that I am blessed with the journey of expression. Music is the bridge that binds us together whether we know it or not. Growing up I always liked to have options to do everything. I could not just sit down and “choose” what activity I wanted to do. Of course, with those options the question is no longer “what” to do, but it is the “when” of doing it. One of my first early memories included me singing at church as a little girl in Mississippi watching my mom lead the Congregation into worship. Seeing everyone smiling while clapping their hands in praise will forever be a sound that I will never forget. I am thankful for the men and women in my life in those early years that help guide me as I grew into my musical journey. As I began to sing side by side with my mother during church, I felt so much Joy in my heart to know that was standing next to the woman who I admire so much. Singing praises unto God at church was my very first stage. Being in the presence of God at such an early age gave this lifted feeling that started inside my heart every time we would get up to sing. I would see the emotions of all of the people who were around and could see that they did not leave the same way they came. My Aunt Lynn was an amazing saxophonist that I would marvel in here presence as she would also play majestically during every church service. I would see the way the crowd of people would react in such reverence to the power in her playing and knew that God was with her. These two ladies are the “Wonder Women” in my life. There virtues and skills shaped me as I grew up. Even when my family moved to Georgia. The connection and communication of music, love and fellowship never ceased. Going to grade school in Georgia was not the easiest. I was often bullied and teased because I was more “fluffy” and often the tallest kid in the class. Even though I had a large family that loved with two older brothers and a plethora of cousins to protect me, I begin to feel empty inside. The wonder and imaginative personality that I had was beginning to fade. There were a couple moments in my life when I was a child I contemplated ending my life. The words that kids would try to plant in me the I was “ugly, “dumb”, “worthless” and that I “can’t because I am too fat” was effecting me mentally. I felt ashamed and would weep because I thought that I was not strong enough to achieve the desires of my heart. I thank God for my family that was so consistent in their love and support even from across the states. As I began intermediate school I knew that I was going to play an instrument. and I knew exactly who I wanted to be like. Once I told my Aunt Lynn that I wanted to play the saxophone like her, she supported my efforts and supplies my first saxophone for me. I was so happy that I was able to have my very own saxophone. That joyous lifting feeling began to come back to me as I began to practice and really be diligent with my horn. my new passion. It was like therapy to me every single time I played. I gained confidence day by day as I had two of the worlds best musical coaches, my Mom and Aunt Lynn. My Aunt was a Biology teacher and even a High School Band Director in Mississippi and she still never failed to answer my calls about my saxophone and what I should be doing. I have never stopped singing and playing my horn because it has been the best therapy of expression for me. I pursue my artistic career as a journey because I want to give those same gifts of freedom to others that were given to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Olivia Lewis. I am a musician and a Worship Leader at my local church. I am so excited about the opportunities to connect with so many different people already this year. By trusting that the gifts I have are given by the Lord I am able to express myself to inspire and encourage others. I’ve learned that trusting the Lord with everything I have with unwavering faith and patience I can obtain the promises of God over my life. I’ve overcome bullying, rejection and shame throughout my career and continue to overcome because of my relationship with Christ. It has not been easy, but trust each process and season you go through is key. As a saxophonist and vocalist I have learned that by reaching Others through Music I am able to share my testimony even without speaking bars in which I hope encourages, uplifts and inspires others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to branch out and adventure to different places so I am starting to expand my view in certain places in the Atlanta and surrounding Atlanta areas. We will start a week long trip with a good southern breakfast early in the morning so that we could head out on the town and shop at the local outlet malls and shops. I love to see the boutiques of small businesses because it gives me a chance to explore different styles. For lunch we could go to one of my favorite Latin American restaurants called Mojave located in Atlanta. Sometime during the week we would head to the Battery Atlanta to go to a Braves game. I love sports I love interactive things and the battery offers so many different activities games and shopping experiences that I love. I specifically love to go to the escape rooms at the Battery because it’s a challenge of the mind. Also there is a candy shop within the battery called River Street suites in which we will get fresh pralines to take with us for our next adventure. And to end the week we would celebrate with lemon flavored Cami Cupcakes!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to first like to thank and give full credit to my success to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The skills that have been gifted to me have been shaped by so many. Sending a special shoutout in Heaven to my Aunt Linda Hicks of Vicksburg Mississippi who passed in 2013 . She is the sole reason why I wanted play the Saxophone, but it blossomed into so much more than I was expecting. I am grateful to my parents, Pastor’s Donnie and Pat Lewis of Faith, Hope & Love Church in Kennesaw, Georgia. I am thankful to have such an amazing example of true leadership and love. I would like to thank my brother Matt and Dondrick for never allowing anything to break the bond and covenant we have along with my extended family and friends. There are true and consistent in their love and support for me every day. Thank you.

Website: Www.OliviaLewisMusic.com

Instagram: @olivialewismusic

Facebook: Olivia Lewis Music

Image Credits
Brown and Orange Images: Drayton McJunkins instagram @dr8nn Blue photo: First Baptist Church of Jonesboro (Jonesboro, GA) Turquoise photo & Black/White Photo Latoya Mathews Free Woman Retreat Personal Coach Purple Jazz Ensemble Photo: Lee University Last Photo: Nathan Pruitt