Lydia Clarkson

Lydia Clarkson was born in Kazakhstan in the former Soviet Union on
September 30, 1973. She began dancing at the age of 4, and began study at
the Kazakhstan Academy of Choreography at the age of nine. There she studied
Russian Vaganova method from 1983 to 1991 under coaches from St Petersburg.

In 1991, Lydia graduated the Academy with honors and immediately joined the
Aukhanov Kazakh State Ballet Theater formally the State Ballet of Classical
Dance Roles in Kazakhstan. She danced leading classical roles in the company
in Swan Lake, Giselle, Paquita, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and more.
She also starred as Edith Piaf in the ballet "Edith Piaf" choreographed
especially for her by Bulat Aukhanov, a former student of the Ballet Academy
of St Petersburg Russia and the founder and artistic directory of the
company. Lydia also toured China for six months, where she performed sold
out shows in 5000 seat auditoriums.

In 1999, Lydia joined the Moscow Ballet company of Moscow Russia, and worked
with such famous masters of ballet as Gediminas Taranda (Bolshoi Theater)
and others. Here she once again performed as a soloist in many classical
repertoires. Also in 1999 toured with the company to Italy and Turkey.