About Joy of Song

There is a spark of joy in every human heart.
Music activates that spark. 
Singing brings people to life.



The 2014 documentary “Alive Inside” illustrates the power of music to bring people to life. A physician in the film comments that he does not have at his disposal any drug that has as positive an effect as music. He says that medicine cannot reach the heart and soul of people, but music can. And it is much more cost-effective. 

Joy of Song's purpose is to use this proven power of music to:
  • Open hearts
  • Awaken vitality
  • Elevate health and well-being
  • Soothe and reassure
  • Support the flow of emotions, from grief and sorrow to joy
  • Encourage expression
  • Develop resonance among people
  • Create and share transcendent moments



See the power of music to bring someone to life in this clip from the film 'Alive Inside.'
For more information on this film and the associated project, see www.musicandmemory.org.
Who We Are
Joy of Song is directed by Sara Louise Snyder, who grew up in a musical family and has been singing all her life. Sara earned her M.A. in World Music from the renowned ethnomusicology program at Wesleyan University.

Sara accompanies herself on a very special instrument: an antique banjolele that her grandmother purchased in the mid-1920's, during the flapper era. This instrument is particularly suited to the wonderful Tin Pan Alley tunes from that time like Alexander's Ragtime Band, Five Foot Two, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Tea for Two, and more. Sara specializes in vintage pop tunes of the 1910's-30's, and her 250+ song repertoire also includes folk, country, blues, jazz, showtunes, Latin, and more.

Prior to starting Joy of Song, Sara performed as a cabaret singer under the stage name Sara Riviera. She ran a small speakeasy in Seattle and issued a CD called Tangerine Blue.
  Sara Louise Snyder
Where We Operate
Joy of Song is based in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and regularly serves neighboring communities including Amherst, Belchertown, Conway, Easthampton, Greenfield, Hadley, Holyoke, Montague, Northampton, Northfield, South Hadley, Springfield, Sunderland, Whately. Sara also travels to other states and plays wherever she goes.

Sara brings the Joy of Song to schools, community centers, senior centers, libraries, healthcare facilities, and also private homes.