Vajda was born to a Lutheran pastor of Slovak descent in Lorain, Ohio, where his father, Rev.
[1] Vajda's father served parishes in Emporia, Virginia, Racine, Wisconsin, and finally, from 1926 until his retirement, in East Chicago, Indiana at Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church.
Vajda received musical training in childhood and began translating classical Slovak poetry at age 15, when three delegates from the cultural institute of Slovakia visited his father's home and left a box of books of Slovak literature.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the world of Christian hymnody, Vajda was named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.
[2] Vajda was a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, and was the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates recognizing hymnal contributions.