I am Lydia Samuels, a performer and composer/arranger with an interest in traditional music, 20th century contemporary classical music and experimental improvisation. I have performed and toured extensively in different ensembles in the UK, Europe, USA and Mexico.
I am co-founder of HOWL vocal ensemble in which I perform and compose. In 2024 we released our second EP ‘Night Creatures’, written in collaboration with writers Robert Macfarlane and Yuvan Aves. At present we are developing our debut album.
In 2024 I was awarded funding by Arts Council England to create the project ‘Voices That Wander’, an exploration of traditional song in the Judeo-Spanish language of Ladino. Working with communities in London from a range of generations and backgrounds, I created original compositions for a 50 person choir and soloists, which were performed at events across London.
Current projects include 'Ojas Rojas' with composers Tomer Damsky + Ana Silvera. Commissioned by the Jewish Music Institute, 'Ojas Rojas' is an exploration and re-imagining of traditional music with Sephardic, Arabic, and Ibero-Christian roots.
I perform as a vocalist and instrumentalist with a range of acts, including Johnny Flynn, Cosmo Sheldrake and Josephine Foster, and also work as a singing facilitator one-to-one and in group workshops.
