
I've been a professional vocalist/musician/songwriter for 15+ years, I am a GRAMMY nominee, and I have recorded with the likes of Kenny Rogers, Bering Strait, Sir Christopher Lee and John Ford Coley. Throughout my professional career, my work has been heard on ABC, CBS, NBC, CMT, Animal Planet – and even in outer space!
I work in multiple genres: pop, rock, folk, country, Christian, alternative, EDM and others. I specialize in recording vocals (lead and/or BGV), keyboard tracks, piano/vocals, topline/songwriting (with vocals), string arranging, midi song production, etc. If you'd like to hear more samples than posted, in any specific genre, just ask.
For recording vocals, I use Neumann TLM103 mic and Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII mic pre. When contacting me about vocals, please specify if your song is fully written – both melody and lyrics – or whether you need songwriting services too.
I don’t offer partial song rates (for a single chorus/hook), all my rates are per song up to 5 minutes in length.
On songwriting jobs, I initially record a rough work tape of my ideas as a voice memo. After client signs off, I then record keeper studio quality vocals and send a preview for final approval. Finalized raw tracks are delivered after project is marked complete.
I ask all my clients not to release, list or promote recordings under my name as artist / featured artist. While I’m proud of all work I do, I ask this simply to separate music I work on as a hired musician/singer (which varies greatly stylistically and conceptually from project to project) from music I write, produce and release as an artist.
Looking forward to hearing all about your project and making some music together!
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
Languages
- English
- French
- Russian
Endorse Lydia Salnikova487 Reviews - 58 Repeat Clients
check_circleVerifiedThis is my second time working with Lydia, and I’m blown away! I didn’t see how she could top the previous song, but she did! Prompt, professional and perfect! Looking forward to the next one!
check_circleVerifiedAnother great job by Lydia. Excellent tone and quality to the BVs and very professional in her communication and delivery. I will definitely work with her again.
check_circleVerifiedLydia is a once in a lifetime find x over 30 in my case. Three years ago I needed bgvs and spelled it out on what to sing, no problem, she adapts, but I found out instantly she hears more than I can, and future bgvs were her call. She does lead vocals like Country...old time, Pop and even tragic! haha. She sings Due Lipa Pop, Gaga like Power ballads & gorgeous voice and piano moments to soothe the soul. She can give you B3 Organ, Rhodes, solo piano and arranges full orchestration too! The best!
check_circleVerifiedThis was my first project with Soundbetter and Lydia was a dream to work with. She understood the requirements and delivered a fantastic vocal performance that aligned with my vision. I was delighted with the results and can highly recommend her. In addition to the vocal performance Lydia was friendly and professional, with excellent communication all throughout the process.
check_circleVerifiedExcellent and fantastic. All the positive superlatives that there are. Killer vocals and arrangement.
check_circleVerifiedLydia’s vocals were pitch perfect, and her treatment and interpretation were top notch! Looking forward to future collaborations!
check_circleVerifiedI love to make it as hard as I can for Lydia in a good way, she loves a challange. I hear her voice when writing and this time she was saying, "let's make a rocker with some bite and sass"! Haha, then she simply tore it up. She even layered harmonies for depth and put more into this potential future hit than she needed to! Why? Because she thought it needed that little extra push. Who does that? A truly unique and remarkable lady with a talent that lives on through the ages!
check_circleVerifiedI worked with Lydia on a piano piece that will be published as a solo piano work, as well as in versions with other instruments.
I would gladly consider working with Lydia again in the future.
Thank you very much for helping make my project a reality. My work is mainly in music direction and production, as well as composition, rather than performance.
Thank you,
Ricardo Silva / Jenny Q
check_circleVerifiedI'm new to SoundBetter and having spent hours listening to talented vocalists on the site, I selected Lydia based on her great demos and the long list of feedback. Expectations were high! However Lydia far exceeded these from start to finish, great comms, took time to understand the track and my vision for it, ultimately delivering fantastic lead and harmonies first time without any revisions required. And quickly! Already working on the next project for collaboration with her. Thank you Lydia!
check_circleVerifiedLydia was an absolute pro and excellent to work with. Her vocals fit perfectly and are exactly what I was hoping for. She’s also friendly and a great communicator, looking forward to working with her again soon!
check_circleVerifiedLydia was so great to work with. She was super understanding, responsive, and had an even had a quicker turnaround time than expected. She was thoughtful in her approach and communication and couldn't ask for a better collaboration.
check_circleVerifiedAnother wonderful job
check_circleVerifiedLydia is such a talented songwriter! Def recommend working with her!
check_circleVerifiedIt’s always the best decision to have Lydia play piano and sing too as she feels the song above the norm and she brings you great results. This time I asked for piano on a moving ballad I will sing but she still gives you that same emotional keys that elevates both the song and your performance so she is always…win, win! She only cares about her clients and our being happy with what she brings to the table. Such a joy to work with. Her goal is to have your song reach full potential. She Shines!
check_circleVerifiedCan you imagine having a job where you wake up thinking, “how can I change the world in a positive way today”? And then actually do it? Thats what Lydia did today! She took my raw guitar track and transposed it to piano and sang it so so heavenly! It’s bound to stir the hearts of everyone who hears this song around the world. Songs easily reach 50 to 100 different countries on any given day if good on Spotify, Apple, Amazon etc. and because of Lydia my song will be heard again and again!
check_circleVerifiedWorking with Lydia Salnikova has been nothing short of incredible. I’m beyond grateful to have collaborated with her not once but twice — and each experience has been magical. Lydia’s voice, professionalism, and artistic sensitivity brought my theme song for A Johnson Family Witchmas to life, along with two additional songs that will appear in my upcoming stage play. Her vocals are rich, emotional, and instantly elevate the music, and she is forever a part of my Witchmas family!
check_circleVerifiedHonestly, I gave Lydia a soulful sad song that I wanted upbeat too somewhat with three files and typed out notes. A total mess and so intricate and she pounded out a PERFECT arrangement, one try. She has no limitations. My mentor Ed Goldfarb (Pokemon guru, Gold record dude) said it best. I said to him,...I want to be a songwriter for an established Nashville artist!" and he replied..."You already are, Lydia is better than 95% of everyone in Nashville"! Well put indeed!
check_circleVerifiedAngels need to take singing lessons from Lydia! Amazing!
check_circleVerifiedProfessional, flexible, great communication. Amazing voice and exceeded my expectations.
check_circleVerifiedI’ve used Lydia on a few projects now. She has always impressed me with her musical talent and professionalism, she gives good quality tracks on time, and she is a pleasure to work with.
Interview with Lydia Salnikova
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: In addition to working for hire, I’m currently finishing recording a full-length album of original songs titled “The Idea of You”, which I also wrote. It is set for 2026 release. Stay tuned!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital! Possibilities are limitless. But you gotta have a good mic and a good preamp.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: In my studio, I record in Logic Pro. For vocals I use Neumann TLM103 mic and Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface / mic preamp. I also own various UA plugins such as Neve 1073, UA 610 tube, Avalon VT-737 tube and Manley VOXBOX tube – for different tone color options. For my piano sounds, I use Ivory by Synthogy, as well as Ravenscroft and Modern U by VI Labs. For my string sounds, I use LA Scoring Strings by Audiobro. I have recently acquired several guitar sound libraries, as well! Ask me about my full midi production.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Check out 2 of my articles published in SoundBetter "Tutorials": "Key your song well!" and "Are we in sync?"
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was very proud to sing the part of Hildegard in "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" by Christopher Lee (2010). One afternoon, I got the call to do this duet remotely, without much information provided about the project. Recorded it that same afternoon. Only months later did I realize who that rich raspy voice I was singing against belonged to! It was a thrill.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Getting to make music for a living. It's a joy and a privilege.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I see my main job as a musician/singer-for-hire in realizing the client's vision for their project. I check my ego at the door. I bring to the table 15+ years of recording experience, rooted both in Nashville music scene and my original classical music education.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work in multiple genres, such as pop, rock, alternative, dance/EDM, as well as country and Bluegrass.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First, I receive any and all materials and instructions from a client. I try to get as much guidance upfront as possible, to minimize revisions later. After I do the work, I send a reference mix for the client to review and approve. I allow one round of minor revisions, if needed. Upon job approval and project marked "complete", I finalize and deliver all tracks in WAV format specified.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of the time, I get hired to record lead vocal tracks, background vocal tracks, piano tracks and string arrangements. I also produce/program full midi recordings for some of my clients, as well as offer songwriting/toplining services.

I was the Singer in this production
- Vocals #1: rock/country/pop/EDM
- Vocals #2: alternative/Christian/metal rock/country pop/R&B (5 clips)
- Topline writing (4 clips)
- Piano/vocal production (4 clips)
- Singer - FemaleAverage price - $300 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $600 per song
- PianoAverage price - $150 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $250 per song
1/2 of payment is non-refundable. Clients may request 1 round of minor revisions (not a full redo) after hearing my work. Typical turnaround is 6-7 days due to job volume; can also offer rush service.
- iMac
- Yamaha HS7ss
- Logic Pro
- Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
- Neumann TLM103
- Ravenscroft 275
- Ivory II
- LA Scoring Strings and many other sound libraries




