Lydia Sanders
Lydia Sanders
5th Season | South Carolina
LYDIA SANDERS was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She began her serious ballet training at the USC Dance Conservatory under the guidance of Susan Anderson and Stacey Calvert. She continued her formal training at Southeastern School of Ballet and at International Ballet Academy. Lydia has attended summer programs with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Burklyn Ballet. Lydia graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 2018 with a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography and a Psychology minor. In the USC Dance Company, she performed in several works by George Balanchine, including the principal role in Walpurgisnacht and soloist roles in Raymonda, Who Cares, and Starts and Stripes. Post graduation she joined Virgina National Ballet, where she danced a variety of soloist roles. Lydia joined Ballet Spartanburg in the fall of 2019. Some of her favorite roles include Dewdrop fairy in The Nutcracker, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty. She can't wait to see what is in the store for the upcoming season!
Carlos Agudelo, 2023 SC Governor's Award for an Individual
Ballet Spartanburg's Artistic Director, Carlos Agudelo, was awarded the South Carolina Governor's Award from the South Carolina Arts Commission on May 23, 2023, at the Chapman Cultural Center. The award was presented by Mr. David Platt, Executive Director of the South Carolina Arts Commission. "We recognize the unparalleled energy, enthusiasm, devotion and love for dance that Carlos has gifted to our community out of his passion for all to experience the arts for the past 32 years. We are overjoyed that Carlos has been recognized by the South Carolina Arts Commission, " Teresa S. Berline, Executive Director. "The South Carolina Arts Commission is an extraordinary organization in our state which promotes and advocates opportunities in the arts which values equality, access, diversity and inclusion. Ballet Spartanburg is honored by the support of the South Carolina Arts Commission and the recognition of Carlos Agudelo."