A UNCSA love story: Lidiya and Nathan Krochmal

Every Pickle Pair has an origin story. For UNCSA alumni Lidiya and Nathan Krochmal, it began with a chance meeting between a flutist and a filmmaker during their first days on campus — an early connection that grew into a lifelong partnership rooted in courage, curiosity and creativity.

But before that partnership took shape, Lidiya (B.M. Music '14) and Nathan (B.F.A. Filmmaking '14) arrived at UNCSA as two artists on separate paths, each chasing a calling that would ultimately bring them together.

A dedicated flutist

Lidiya grew up in Storrs, Connecticut, immersed in serious flute study and preparing to apply to top conservatories. She felt an immediate connection to the School of Music at UNCSA and chose it for her undergraduate degree. Today, Lidiya holds an M.B.A. from Emory’s Goizueta Business School and has built a thriving career in higher education fundraising, recently stepping into a director of development role at Georgia State University’s (GSU) business school.  

Lidiya’s passion for fundraising began while training as a flutist at UNCSA. During her junior year, the virtuoso flutist Sir James Galway came to perform with the Winston-Salem Symphony. Lidiya worked with School of Music faculty member Tadeu Coelho to organize a masterclass on campus.

When funding became an issue, she took matters into her own hands — Lidiya and her classmates in the flute studio organized a GoFundMe and raised $5,000 in just two weeks. Galway was able to come to campus, and Lidiya’s leadership efforts earned her a nomination for the Sarah Graham Kenan Award.  

An aspiring filmmaker 

Nathan’s path began in Grand Haven, Michigan, where his love for filmmaking took root early. In seventh grade, he turned a book report into a short film about the Middle Ages, and from there spent his high school years entering festivals, winning awards and honing his craft. Nathan started college in Michigan, completing two years of general education and film courses before his family relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina.

Encouraged by a family friend who had attended UNCSA, Nathan visited the campus. The moment he stepped onto a soundstage where students were building an elaborate crypt set, he knew he had found his place. “I remember literally running to the admissions office to get in,” he says.  

Because the School of Filmmaking rarely accepts transfer students, Nathan had to start college anew as a freshman. He never regretted it. “I needed to be at UNCSA,” he recalls. “If I were going to start over, I was going to hit the ground running and get the most out of it.” That decision set him on the path he still follows today: art direction and set design. 

A chance encounter 

As a couple, Lidiya and Nathan’s story began on the second day of school, their freshman year at UNCSA. At a campus ice cream social, Nathan, standing at 6'7", caught everyone’s attention — including Lidiya’s friends, who tried to nudge her towards him. She initially brushed it off, then found herself seated next to him at an orientation session. She quickly discovered Nathan was kind, interesting and someone she wanted to talk to again. A few days later, she ran into him at the fitness center, struck up a conversation, and the two quickly formed a friendship.  

A turning point came  during Halloween. Lidiya, dressed as Minnie Mouse, slipped down a staircase at a party and split her finger open, an especially frightening injury for a flutist. Nathan, dressed as a gladiator, rushed her to the hospital, held her hand through nine stitches, and made her noodles at 2 a.m. Her injury became the catalyst for him to keep checking in on her throughout the year.  Later, when Lidiya asked Nathan when he knew he would marry her, he admitted that the Halloween moment was the beginning. 

Careers in motion

After graduating in 2014, Nathan and Lidiya focused on growing their careers. After significant persistence, networking and study, Nathan found his first film job as an art production assistant in Atlanta, an opportunity he found through a Design & Production alum. He packed his car, drove south and stayed with a fellow alum to make it happen. Shortly after, he was selected for the Art Director’s Guild of America apprenticeship program, which provided a foot in the door for early opportunities in set design and a steady climb from set designer to assistant art director to art director.  

Lidiya initially headed to New York City to intern with IMG Artists, then joined Nathan in Atlanta after a few months. Her early fundraising experience quickly shaped her career. Before long, she was working for the Atlanta Opera as an artistic associate, then moved into advancement and alumni services at Emory University, where she earned her M.B.A., before becoming the senior advancement campaign manager for the CDC Foundation. She transitioned into her current role at GSU thanks to her longstanding relationship with former UNCSA Music Dean Wade Weast, who is now GSU’s interim dean of the College of Arts.  

Meanwhile, Nathan has been building a steady and impressive career in the film industry. He is currently working on the set design for the next “Superman” film, with recent credits including “Scream 7,” “The Family Plan,” “Jungle Cruise,” “Hidden Figures,” “Weapons,” “Blue Beetle,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” and the Netflix limited series “His and Hers,” several of which feature other UNCSA alumni.  

Looking ahead 

Nathan credits his ability to work in both set design and art direction for keeping him consistently employed. He connects with current UNCSA filmmaking students each year, reminding them of the broad skill sets they possess and the importance of recognizing their value.  

The Krochmals have always been a strong team: driven, adventurous and committed to building a life that blends family, creativity and ambition. From living in a  basement to owning a home and raising two young daughters, they’ve forged their path together. They love movies, hiking and exploring new places. Lidiya, who was born in Russia, has taken Nathan there twice — experiences that have influenced his artistic perspective.  

Be curious and don’t settle. You never know where your path is going to go and which one you are supposed to be on.

Nathan Krochmal

Reflecting on her journey, Lidiya encourages students and alumni not to limit themselves. “Keep yourself open to other opportunities. As an artist, you have a lot of grit and determination that can take you into passions and professional pursuits you never could have dreamed of.” Nathan adds, “Be curious and don’t settle. You never know where your path is going to go and which one you are supposed to be on.”  

By Rebecca Burkeen

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