Lydia Young-Green, MFA, is a distinguished dancer, educator, and choreographer hailing from Acadiana. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts with a concentration in dance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography from Wilson College. During her time at UL, she performed in numerous concerts presented by the Dance Department and later returned as a guest choreographer before joining the faculty as an Adjunct Professor of Dance.
Her professional training includes participation in the Horton Teacher Workshop through the Ailey School, and she holds certification in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). With a commitment to fostering inclusivity in dance education, Lydia has taught pre-professional dancers, community dancers, underprivileged youth, and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. She has served as a musical theatre instructor for Christian Youth Theatre (CYT), mentors aspiring dancers at Fire Expressions Dance Conservatory, and teaches integrated arts for LPSS through the Acadiana Center for the Arts.
As a choreographer, Lydia’s creative process is rooted in intellectual and artistic exploration, offering thought-provoking examinations of the human experience through movement and narrative. Through her multifaceted work as an artist and educator, she strives to inspire, empower, and cultivate a deeper understanding of dance as both an expressive art form and a tool for social connection.
Who makes up your art circle?
My art circle extends beyond dance, encompassing incredible singers, musicians, poets, and writers. I’m grateful for the connections I’ve built with these talented individuals. The people I share life with are also part of this creative circle, and our shared experiences deeply influence my artistic practice. Their support is a vital part of what enables me to continue my work as an artist.
How do you expand your art circle?
I expand my art circle by being present. The unexpected connections made whether I’m teaching a class, attending a performance or festival, or shopping in the grocery store. It can literally happen anywhere. Short story, I was picking up a catering order from a local grocery store and through a simple conversation with the cashier, she shared that her son was a dancer. I shared that I was an Adjunct Professor of Dance at UL and would be open to helping him. Fast forward to 2 years later, he will now be performing in UL’s Spring Concert and has made many other connections with artists in Acadiana and it all happened over a pickup order. The key to expanding my art circle is putting myself out there no matter when or where.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
Having a creative community is invaluable. Being surrounded by fellow artists keeps me hungry, curious, humble, and honest. Of these, humility resonates with me most. As success continues to find its way into my life, I know more will come—not because I judge other artists who are striving for the same, but because I respect them. I never see myself as above another artist just because I may have reached a milestone before they did. Even if they’re behind me now, they’re still on their way, and at any moment, they could pass me. But that doesn’t place me beneath them either—I’m still on my own journey. There’s no hierarchy in artistry because our paths are different. The goal is simply to keep moving forward—stay “on the way.” My creative community keeps me on my way.
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community? My artistic approach contributes to my community because it involves my community. The experiences I have are shared with them whether it’s intentional or not. I make room for collaboration, create safe spaces for learning and nurturing atmospheres for feeling. The great poet Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I am certain that my community will always walk away from my art feeling something, and that is my contribution to them.
Our weekly Art Circle series profiles artists throughout the community and is sponsored in part by Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund managed by Lafayette Travel
