Ms. Roberts Coco began her training in Norfolk, Virginia. Her professional training started with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center on a full merit scholarship. Ms. Roberts Coco was invited to become a member of the  Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (the Ailey junior company) where she danced for three years. She then went on to perform with the Jamison Project under the direction of Judith Jamison.  After the passing of Alvin Ailey, Lydia was invited by Judith Jamison to become a member of the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Once again under the direction of Ms. Jamison, Lydia toured nationally and internationally as a principal dancer with the AAADT for seven years again  Her credits include leading roles in Pas De Duke, Night Creature, Fix Me Jesus from Alvin Ailey’s signature piece Revelations, Suite Otis and many others. Lydia has worked with many choreographers including Alvin Ailey, Lar Lubovitch, Tally Beatty, Elisa Monte, Jerome Robbins, George Faison, and Ulysses Dove.  She has performed at renowned theatres such as Lincoln Center, City Center, Kennedy Center and The Paris Opera House.

Lydia is honored to be Ballet Virginia’s Company Artistic Director. During the past two seasons, she has choreographed seven new works as well as set some of her best works on the professional company. The new works for this Season Opening performance include Bolero and Last Breath. “Dark Instincts“, an audience favorite, will also be returning to the stage. Moving into the third season, she continues to work towards her artistic vision of  making Ballet Virginia’s professional company something that excites and inspires the Hampton Roads community. Lydia is passionate about making sure our community knows that we have an amazing group of ethnically as well as artistically  diverse dancers . She wants to expand our audiences and eventually also tour.

Lydia is honored to be a judge/instructor for the Universal Ballet Competition as well as an adjudicator/instructor for the West Virginia Ballet Festival and a dance instructor for Barry Robinson Center’s Next Step To Success Program. Lydia has been teaching ballet and modern at Ballet Virginia from its inception in 2008.