Lydia Froncek is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer based in New York City. She began her first band with her twin sister Madeleine at eight years old, though she was barely tall enough to reach the pedals of her older sister’s drum kit. Lydia’s love for West African music began at age 18 and led her to Senegal in 2013 where she began an intensive study of the Tama, or talking drum. She has returned three times to study with her teacher Bara Mbengue and collaborate with local musicians at festivals and community events. In 2016, Lydia co-founded the all-female world folk band Ley Line which has since graced the stages of notable festivals including Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival and Old Settlers Music Festival. In addition to performing, the group has a major focus on community engagement and education. They have offered their interactive workshop around the country and organized the first United States chapter of Sonora Festival to uplift the voices of women-identifying songwriters Lydia is passionate about using music to connect people across cultures and since 2016 has worked as an educator and music mentor with both youth and adults. She partners with local non profit Fuel of Fire as a songwriting coach for the One Village Music project and The Reveille Songwriters Retreat, working with immigrant and refugee youth and war veterans to share stories through music. Currently Lydia is a producer and sound designer for the Berkeley based Dogbotic Studio. She spends her days honing her production skills, collaborating on her own music with Austin artists and designing and sewing her own clothes.