Adam Lloyd has always been interested in the power of a person’s voice.
As a vocal performer, Lloyd understands how important it is to take care of his “instrument.” But when he was having issues with his voice, his interactions with a speech-language pathologist sparked his interest and he decided to venture down a new career path.
Having already earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in vocal performance at the University of Tennessee, Lloyd decided to go back to school.
Lloyd enrolled in the master’s degree program in communication sciences and disorders at UCF in 2008. During his time at UCF, he connected with Bari Hoffman, a professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, who served as a mentor for Lloyd as he studied for his master’s degree.
Hoffman’s specialty is voice and upper airway disorders, so her unique training and work with vocal performers was exactly the type of work Lloyd wanted to do.
“I can’t tell you how many hours in her clinic that I spent observing and doing hands-on work under her guidance to learn how to be an effective speech-language pathologist specializing in voice,” he says. “I would definitely consider her a mentor, a colleague, and a friend.”
Following graduation, Lloyd worked closely with Hoffman as a professional, working side-by-side with her during his clinical fellowship and beyond at the Center for Voice Care and Swallowing Disorders at the Ear, Nose and Throat Plastic Surgery Associates.
He continued working at the center for an additional three years as a staff member and voice specialist until he was hired to work as an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami, while also seeking his speech-language pathology doctorate at Northwestern University, which he completed in March 2020.
During his time at the University of Miami, Lloyd has been a leader in building a gender affirmation program at UM with a multidisciplinary group of providers from many specialties. In this role, he works with transgender and non-binary patients to teach them different techniques that adjust the cadence, tone and pitch of their voices to better align with their identified genders.
Most recently, Lloyd was instrumental in the development of the Estefan Voice Studio, supported by the Gloria Estefan Foundation Inc. – the result of a long-term relationship with the foundation.
Lloyd worked with the team in designing and preparing the space. From purchasing the proper equipment for vocal training and therapy sessions, to picking out furniture and deciding the layout of the studio, Lloyd was a major key in the success of completing the studio.
“It feels like a music studio or a singing voice studio, and it’s a conducive space for my colleagues and myself and our clients,” he says. “It’s an invaluable space and I’m proud to see this come to fruition.”
In addition to his career success, Lloyd has become well-published in the area of assessment and treatment of voice disorders and is actively invited to present on the topics at national conferences.
He has also been an adjunct faculty member teaching Voice Disorders at Carlos Albizu University and currently teaches Voice Disorders and Research Methods at Nova Southeastern University and the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He also trains residents at the University of Miami department of Otolaryngology Voice Center.
Lloyd credits UCF for preparing him for success in his career and encourages current and future students to take advantage of the opportunities available during their undergraduate or graduate careers.
“Be as involved with your professors as possible,” Lloyd says. “It’s a good idea to be involved in research at some level – it opens up a lot of doors, even if you aren’t planning to have a career in research. Attend conferences that will continue to introduce you and educate you on those areas you are interested in as a future speech-language pathologist.”
