Jeffrey Lyons began his training in Lake Charles, Louisiana when he was eleven years old. He later trained at the American Ballet Theatre School. He began his professional career as a member of American Ballet Theatre II and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. In 1989, Lyons joined Pennsylvania Ballet where he danced a varied repertory. When he retired from the stage in 1996, Lyons joined the faculty of The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. He joined the faculty of SF Ballet School in 1999.