Lydia Cleaver

Who is Lydia Cleaver?

Lydia Cleaver is a harpist. She was introduced to the harp at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan where she studied with Patricia Terry-Ross. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Master of Music and Specialist degrees in Harp Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music where she studied with Dr. Lynne Aspnes. Lydia has performed with many orchestras and choral ensembles throughout the Midwest region of the United States. Additionally, she has performed with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Eartha Kitt and Mickey Rooney in the stage production of the Wizard of Oz, Mannheim Steamroller and others. Lydia has been a featured soloist for Vocal Essence of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Livonia Symphony and Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony orchestras, as well as the American Harp Society, performing William Grant Still’s Ennanga. Lydia is listed in Marquis Who’s Who of American Women and has been granted the King, Chavez, Parks visiting professorship from the University of Michigan. In 2007 she took over the harp program at Cass Technical High School.