Lydia's father, Allen Burke, was the musical director for the popular group The Spinners and other bands. Allen recently visited Millikin's campus to discuss his Motown experiences with the cast of "Little Shop of Horrors" and work with the students on the musical styling of the 50s pop/rock musical.
"You shouldn't have an expectation or that it will be handed to you," Lydia Burke said. "We live this way because mom and dad worked really hard. I'm grateful that I was taught that, because that could have gone very wrong."
Allen Burke is a multitalented musician with a playing style and vocal range that opened incredible opportunities for him to work closely with many talented artists, and various national and international recording stars. Notable names include Fresh, Fingers, Burke & Taylor, Patti Labelle, The Drifters, Dionne Warrick, The Supremes, Patrice Rushen, the late great Motown legend Marvin Gaye and 30 years with The Spinners. Allen's tenure with The Spinners included 23 years as their musical director. As The Spinners' musical director, Allen has toured worldwide, playing, conducting and singing in the top venues and most popular television shows of the last three decades.
Lydia Burke's credits include Extraordinary Girl in "American Idiot" (Phoenix Theatre, Inc.); Angelique Washington in "Passover" (a Millikin staged reading); Melanie Porter in "Rough Magic," Mariana in "Measure for Measure," and a swing in "Legally Blonde" (Millikin Mainstage); "Hairspray" (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra); Anita in "West Side Story," Judy in "A Chorus Line" and "Ragtime" (Summer Stock Stage).
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