Sara L. Snyder

Biography

Sara L. Snyder is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at Western Carolina University and Director of the Cherokee Language Program. She received a PhD. in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University in 2016 with additional specialization in linguistic anthropology. In addition to her academic interests, Sara also sings and composes with the electronic music project, Stereospread, and plays trumpet with community bands and jazz ensembles across Western North Carolina.

Education

• Ph D, Columbia University Columbia College
• MPHL, Columbia University Columbia College
• MA, Columbia University Columbia College
• BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Teaching Interests

Sara teaches Cherokee language classes, Linguistic Anthropology courses, and topics in Cherokee Studies.

Research Interests

Her research interests include language revitalization, translation studies, sound studies, vocal anthropology, Native American and Indigenous studies, and music and language. Sara’s work explores speech and song in Cherokee language revitalization, with attention to how vocal play and the poetics of translation provide pathways by which Cherokee language students can reimagine and redefine contemporary Cherokee identities and subjectivities.