Bio: Ajda Snyder is an original singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (flute/mandolin/guitar/keys), and voice teacher in the Greater Boston area.  A native of Houston, Texas, Ajda moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music, where she obtained her Bachelor of Music in 1999.  Since 2009, Ajda has worked with hundreds of voice students of all ages and from all walks of life, with a focus on contemporary styles.  She is a member of the New York Singing Teachers Association, from whom she received a scholarship towards her completion of professional development coursework in the field of voice, for which she was awarded their "Distinguished Voice Professional" certificate.  Ajda is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and regularly attends their conferences to periodically refresh and keep current her knowledge of singing and voice science.  Far from being just an academic, Ajda has over 20+ years of real-world experience singing, playing, recording, and performing live (including national touring) with bands and ensembles of various styles, primarily rock, jazz, and metal.  She appears on over 20 recordings to date, several of which contain her own original material done with bands she helped found, such as Black Fortress of Opium.  Ajda is still actively performing and recording today with her group Ajda the Turkish Queen Band.

Teaching Philosophy: "Music is my life, and exploring its infinite aspects and sharing that with students is deeply rewarding.  I believe working on music is an excellent vehicle for personal growth and development, and that working on the voice specifically can help a person in so many aspects of life, both personally and professionally, since we use our voices to communicate.  I am big on strategies and sustainable techniques that consistently offer a desired result.  My initial goal is to guide voice students in learning how to turn her/his own focus inward - increasing kinesthetic awareness in order to help dispel counterproductive patterns of muscular and mental tension and "free the voice."  We explore relaxation, breathing and support, mechanics of singing, basic techniques for developing coordination of the registers and strengthening the entire range, articulation, resonance, artistic expression, language and much more.  With so much to cover, and given I appreciate variety as a learner, each lesson is a little bit different.  One must the respect the journey and process of learning, and work and practice patiently and steadily in order to receive and retain the gifts of knowledge."