Lewis Plumridge was born in Melbourne. He attended Mentone and Trinity Grammar Schools and the Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. While undertaking his Bachelor of Music, he studied piano with the late Roy Shepherd and organ with John Mallinson. He later graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Diploma of Education.
Called up for national service in 1970, Lewis played clarinet in the band of the Royal Military College Duntroon, Canberra and was one of the organists at the ANZAC Memorial Chapel of St Paul. Upon completing his National Service, Lewis became Director of Music at Trinity Grammar School Kew for four years. During this time he also gained his Bachelor of Education.
In 1977, Lewis and his wife, soprano Carole McKenzie, moved to London where they lived, performed and worked for five years. Lewis became Head of Music at Whitmore High School in Harrow and was Organist and Choirmaster at St Gabriel’s Church of England in Cricklewood, northwest of London.
Upon returning to Australia in 1982, Lewis became Director of Music at Mentone Grammar School where he remained for 27 years. He was a piano examiner for the AMEB for many years and was Organist and Choirmaster at St Peter’s Anglican Church Box Hill. He passed away in 2021, remembered fondly by family, colleagues and the thousands of students he inspired.