Lydia developed her love of classical music at an early age, studying violin, piano, organ, and voice through her college years. Lydia pursued a double major in religious studies and music at Baldwin Wallace College and Conservatory in Berea, Ohio. Highlights include singing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw, as well as numerous performances with the Bach Festival Orchestra and Chorus at her alma mater.
While raising her family, Lydia continued graduate level organ and choral studies, taught piano and organ, directed adult and children's choirs, and held posts as organist in churches in New York, Ohio, and New Jersey before moving to West Virginia. She has served as organist and director of music for the Presbyterian Church in Berkeley Springs for over thirty years.