Sydney started at the Hop in 1997 working for former Director of Film Bill Pence. During this time she has overseen the introduction of the Metropolitan Opera Live, National Theater Live and Exhibition on Screen series, in addition to the program's move to its primary home in the new Loew Auditorium. She was appointed Director of Film in January 2018 after Bill's retirement. She earned a degree in international politics from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service.