Before starting the MA in Dance & Creative Enterprise, Lydia trained vocationally, specialising in contemporary, ballet and flamenco. She has performed for artists including Gary Clarke, Ann Liv Young and Chris Goode.
She has been awarded the FLINTsparks Prize, the IDEA Assembly, and was shortlisted for the Vantage Art Prize. Previous commissions include for Skimstone Arts, Yorkshire Dance and Drunken Chorus.
Lydia is, in her own words, “a dancer, performer, artist, cosmonaut, prepper and apocaloptimist”.
She is compelled to make brutally honest work that questions the endurance of the body in performance and differing contexts. This has led her to create work that provides a social commentary and contains elements from alternative disciplines.
Alongside her own practice, Lydia is one half of 70/30 Split and the co-founder and co-director of SLAP (Social Live Alternative Performance) in York. 70/30 Split will soon be touring bYOB, a piece which reflects on the rise of nationalism and mob mentality.
bYOB (2017): Awarded the Northern Connections 2.0 commission from NSCD, Spin Arts and Yorkshire Dance. Currently in development commissioned by Transform Festival.
Atomic (2017): Winner of the Hull Dance Prize. Awarded funding from Arts Council England. Supported by Hull Dance, York Theatre Royal and West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Atlantis (2015): Awarded funding from Arts Council England. Awarded the North East Artist Development Residency. Supported by Yorkshire Dance, Conway Hall Live Art Bistro and Dance City.
HairStory (2014): Originally commissioned by Chisenhale Dance Space as part of Dance and the Homemade. Further commissions from Romford Contemporary Art Programme, In-Situ, Right Up Our Street and Leeds City Council.
Bolero (2014): Winner of the Drunken Nights Commission.
Burlesque Terrorism (2013): Winner of the Idea LAB Prize, Commissioned by Live Art Bistro.
