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Lydia is from Russia and she is not afraid of being stereotyped as a “mysterious Russian soul” or a symbol of “eternal femininity”. Lydia’s home town is located right on the border between Europe and Asia and that invisible line between two worlds became her identity. Two traditions have fueled her creativity with the best spiritual illuminations of both the West and the East.
Her songs and short stories represent the right balance between intellect and sacrifice, creativity and deep meditation, search for truth and compassion, complexity and simplicity.
She is a published author, with works including "Bringing Hidden Things To Light", Abingdon Press, 1996. She has contributed to the Kansas City Star, Response Magazine, and The Kansan.
Lydia studies voice with Dr. Charles Beard of University of Missouri, Kansas City, accordion with Betty Jo Simon, championship winning accordionist, and percussion with Doug Auwarter. She has also studied jazz vocal stylings with Everette DeVan and jazz piano with Rich Hill. She has performed with John Anthony of the NY Metropolitan Opera and Will Wiggins of the San Francisco Opera.
Lydia’s voice is warm and sultry. Some have commented that her voice has "healing qualities"...and they listen to her CD's over and over again. Lydia takes a risk to open up her soul right in front of the audience to help people to get a fresh look on life. Her irony, edginess and sometimes gentle sarcasm disarm even the most hard-shelled listeners. Lydia helps people to look at themselves through lens of truth – this is where her second identity comes through:
Lydia calls herself a “Cleaning Lady.” She likes to clean...but she always starts with herself.
Scott, Lydia's husband, is a semi-professional instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, piano and percussion. His projects have included a country/50's/60's band called "Yesterdayz Soundz", a jazz ensemble called "City Music Company", and a classic rock project called "Crash Atom". Side projects have included "Amy Saia", and a jazz/folk/classical project called "K2". He has also played guitar in church worship bands throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Scott has studied guitar under Rod Fleeman and Andy Masters, and jazz accompaniment under Everette DeVan.
Scott was a student of composition under Dr. Sven Lekberg, and was a member of the "League of Composers" at a large Kansas City church under the brilliant music director, Dr. Steve McCoy. For two years, the League penned every choral anthem performed in Sunday morning services. While under Dr. McCoy's direction, Scott wrote and directed dozens of choral pieces.
Scott was a student of vocal performance under Dr. Charles Beard and Ms. Ann Larson, and has appeared in operas, oratorios and concerts in the Midwest. He was also the director of the American Century Chorale for 15 years. Performances included local TV morning shows, Kauffman Stadium and the annual Plaza Lighting Ceremony, which draws an audience of between 250 and 300,000.
Scott brings his vocal, instrumental, arranging and sound engineering talents to partner with Lydia to present a unique blend of Russian romance melodies, rock and pop energy, with jazz harmonies and rhythms.
Our logo - The image of a swirling spiral of orange, yellow, purple and red on the bottom of the page is done by a talented artist, Susanne Andersen - Lydia's friend. In the piece, Susanne portrays Lydia as "a woman full of energy and light. Her femininity is her true identity and her driving force. Lydia is the source of strength and courage that will never allow anybody to put her down. Whatever the circumstances are, Lydia always goes up on the surface, no one can hold her down."
"In Lydia"", Susanne explains, "I see a light that keeps on pushing through, keeps on coming; no matter what happens in her life, Lydia's spirit keeps on shining. "
To the right from the Lydia's there are two spiraling souls painted as two sources of energy; two beings, male and female,"Yin" and "Yang". This is how Susanne Andersen sees Lydia and Scott: they "dance together, they live their lives with passion, and gradually their spirits merge through love and trust in an eternal dance."
Susanne's work may be viewed at www.artisessential.com.
