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Hearing and deaf communities come together to learn Michael Jackson's "Thriller" | MLive.com
Michael Jackson has come to downtown Flint and his name is Tyler Naeyaert.
Tyler is 10-years-old and will play Jackson in the Flint Zombie Walk's production of "Thriller," which will be filmed July 31.
He was also born deaf.
"I'm a little nervous," Tyler said at the group's first dance rehearsal Sunday afternoon. "I'm excited to learn the dance. I think it's going to be fun."
Tyler will be signing the lyrics to the song while performing the choreography during a commercial that the group is making to promote the walk in October, said Kristina Lakey, 26, from Flint.
Lakey founded the Zombie Walk three years ago and helped organize the Thriller rehearsals and the commercial.
The money from this year's walk will be donated to Michigan School for the Deaf families who need some assistance, so Lakey reached out to the local deaf community to be a part of the commercial and learn the dance.
"For me it's my personal passion so to bring them in, to talk with them and have them involved is wonderful," Lakey said. She is one year away from completing an associates degree in interpreting at Mott Community College.
"I'm hoping that hearing people will have a new respect for the deaf community and that deaf people will feel more involved in the hearing world," she said.
For Amy Gardner, 38 of Grand Blanc, being able to learn the Thriller dance while doing some good for the community inspired her to come to Sunday's rehearsal.
"I'm all about helping out," she said. "It just seemed like something fun to do and fun to experience."
Tish DeLano, 29 came from Port Huron to participate. This is her third time participating in Flint's Zombie Walk, but this one will be even more special this year for her as she and her husband will renew their vows at the walk, which coincides with their third year anniversary.
She encouraged anyone interested to show up for the remaining rehearsals and participate.
"Be prepared to get down with your zombie self," she said.
Choreographer Jarren Martin, 26 of Burton, learned the "Thriller" dance when he was two-years-old from watching Micheal on television.
"The point about (the dance) is having fun," he said.
Martin was very excited about working with the deaf community, which is something he has never done before.
"I can learn something from them," he said. "I think it's special to be working with them because they can't hear the music, but they still find it in themselves to come here and do this routine. They are teaching me something. That's what I'm going to remember the most."
Tyler hopes that the video will inspire others to participate, especially from the hearing community.
"I think it's going to be inspiring to hearing people and they're going to want to learn sign language," he said.
Anyone interested in dancing needs to participate in at least two rehearsals.
The next rehearsal is on July 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Kearsley Park Pavilion.
Rehearsals will also be held on July 17 and July 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Michael Jackson has come to downtown Flint and his name is Tyler Naeyaert.
Tyler is 10-years-old and will play Jackson in the Flint Zombie Walk's production of "Thriller," which will be filmed July 31.
He was also born deaf.
"I'm a little nervous," Tyler said at the group's first dance rehearsal Sunday afternoon. "I'm excited to learn the dance. I think it's going to be fun."
Tyler will be signing the lyrics to the song while performing the choreography during a commercial that the group is making to promote the walk in October, said Kristina Lakey, 26, from Flint.
Lakey founded the Zombie Walk three years ago and helped organize the Thriller rehearsals and the commercial.
The money from this year's walk will be donated to Michigan School for the Deaf families who need some assistance, so Lakey reached out to the local deaf community to be a part of the commercial and learn the dance.
"For me it's my personal passion so to bring them in, to talk with them and have them involved is wonderful," Lakey said. She is one year away from completing an associates degree in interpreting at Mott Community College.
"I'm hoping that hearing people will have a new respect for the deaf community and that deaf people will feel more involved in the hearing world," she said.
For Amy Gardner, 38 of Grand Blanc, being able to learn the Thriller dance while doing some good for the community inspired her to come to Sunday's rehearsal.
"I'm all about helping out," she said. "It just seemed like something fun to do and fun to experience."
Tish DeLano, 29 came from Port Huron to participate. This is her third time participating in Flint's Zombie Walk, but this one will be even more special this year for her as she and her husband will renew their vows at the walk, which coincides with their third year anniversary.
She encouraged anyone interested to show up for the remaining rehearsals and participate.
"Be prepared to get down with your zombie self," she said.
Choreographer Jarren Martin, 26 of Burton, learned the "Thriller" dance when he was two-years-old from watching Micheal on television.
"The point about (the dance) is having fun," he said.
Martin was very excited about working with the deaf community, which is something he has never done before.
"I can learn something from them," he said. "I think it's special to be working with them because they can't hear the music, but they still find it in themselves to come here and do this routine. They are teaching me something. That's what I'm going to remember the most."
Tyler hopes that the video will inspire others to participate, especially from the hearing community.
"I think it's going to be inspiring to hearing people and they're going to want to learn sign language," he said.
Anyone interested in dancing needs to participate in at least two rehearsals.
The next rehearsal is on July 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Kearsley Park Pavilion.
Rehearsals will also be held on July 17 and July 24 from noon to 1:30 p.m.