About Aoede

Lisa Sniderman, aka Aoede, is a multi-award-winning disabled folk-pop singer-songwriter, playwright, composer, lyricist, and multidisciplinary artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work lives at the intersection of music, theater, technology, and disability, exploring identity, grief, love, and the messy parts of being human.

Living with dermatomyositis, a progressive muscle disease, for nearly 20 years and CVID, a primary immune deficiency, Aoede stepped away from public performance but never stopped creating. She has released ten albums and created musical audiobooks, plays, films, and books, receiving more than 100 awards and accolades across artistic disciplines.

Her 2020 spoken word musical audiobook and album, The Grieving Project, set the stages of grief to music. Her work has since evolved toward creating for musical theater, where she combines her passion for songwriting with character-driven storytelling.

She is currently developing VitaNova, an interactive, disability-centered sci-fi musical about four disabled artists navigating a mysterious therapeutic virtual world that promises relief from pain. Through music, storytelling, audience participation, and accessibility, VitaNova reimagines how in-person and virtual audiences can share a live theatrical experience. VitaNova has received significant development support from the Doris Duke Foundation.

Guided by her “Yes, And” philosophy—that grief AND joy, pain AND beauty, struggle AND possibility can coexist—Aoede is passionate about elevating disabled voices, expanding access to theater, and creating art that connects us through our shared humanity. An active RAMPD professional member since the organization's inception, Aoede previously served as Secretary of its Executive Committee and as Engagement Co-Chair.

Recognition and Awards

Professional Memberships

• Children's Music Network (CMN) Member
• PRO: ASCAP
• Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) Voting/Professional Member