Born and raised in Russia, Lydia originally made her stand in the U.S. music scene as a lead vocalist and keyboard player for the Grammy-nominated band Bering Strait, which released 2 albums on Universal South Records and was featured in a "60 Minutes" episode, as well as a full-length documentary, "The Ballad Of Bering Strait". The band toured throughout the U.S., sharing the stage with such artists as Trisha Yearwood, Diamond Rio, Steve Azar, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Collin Raye, Wynonna, Phil Vassar, B-52s, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Kathy Mattea and Bela Fleck. Being both a skilled singer and a classically trained pianist, Lydia also generously lent her musical talents to other acts, in the studio and on the road; the most notable contributions were her appearances on "We Are The Same" by Kenny Rogers and on "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" by Sir Christopher Lee. While having developed an appreciation and love for both classical and country music, Lydia eventually found that when it came down to just her and her piano and her writing, she was tapping into quite a different musical place, its flavor being soulful, emotional and highly introspective. She was compelled to leave Bering Strait in 2006 to start searching for her own voice, not that of a singer or a player in a band but that of a solo artist. Between experimenting in the studio and playing live in a trio setting, she began finding it. Lydia’s first solo offering, album titled "Hallway", was recorded in her home studio. She has written or co-written every song on the album, and one of those songs scored her a nomination for a 2011 Hollywood Music in Media Award. Also in the last few years, Lydia has had the honor of performing for NASA at Space Center Houston, where she was overjoyed to discover that some of her music had already been played in space. Finally, Lydia’s new album "Valentine Circle" is out now! ********** "Salnikova’s two solo albums – “Hallway” and now “Valentine Circle” – showcase her rich, beautiful voice over strong keyboards. The music is more pop than country (think '90s star Paula Cole, without the attitude) with personal lyrics that take you along with the highs and lows of her journey." - Tracy Collins, AZCentral.com "With "Valentine Circle", Lydia Salnikova delivers another finely crafted record. She puts in the effort so lacking elsewhere in the pop realm of late to make a timeless album of gentle passion. " - S. Victor Aaron, Something Else Reviews "Salnikova draws the listener in with an almost smoky quality to her music. The crescendos of her eloquent voice crash over the modishness of the piano – one key stroke at a time. Adult contemporary never sounded so good. It’s like Jonatha Brooke meets Jann Arden, spliced with the soulfulness of Carly Simon – that’s what you get from the former member of Bering Strait." - Danielle Boise, Target Audience Magazine