Company Members

Ms. Roberts Coco began her own professional career as a member of the  Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (the Ailey junior company) where she danced for three years. She then performed 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. 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. She has choreographed numerous new works as well as set some of her best works on the professional company. New works created for Ballet Virginia include Bolero, Dark Instincts, FIVE and Last Breath. 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.

Lydia is also on Ballet Virginia’s academy faculty where she has been teaching ballet and modern since 2008.