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RSD prepares for deaf superstar Signmark | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com
For the past several weeks, students at the Rochester School for the Deaf have been busy learning song lyrics in American Sign Language in preparation for the arrival of an unprecedented guest: Signmark.
Signmark (whose birth name is Marko Vuoriheimo) is the first deaf individual to ever earn a major international recording contract. He performs rap and hip-hop to strong beats and low frequencies in American Sign Language.
"I feel surprised and at the same time excited for Signmark (to visit)," said eighth-grader Brianna Di Giovanni of Irondequoit. "He really is an inspiration. He proved to the world that those who are deaf can succeed in the music industry."
Signmark, 33, did this against great odds.
"There were no Deaf role models in music," Signmark wrote in an email, remembering growing up in Finland with a love of music, but no example of what he could do with it. "Nobody thought ever before to put together Deaf and music. It was considered absurd."
As a teenager watching MTV, he noticed how rappers often used hand gestures with their music and it reminded him of his own "style" — sign language.
Signmark synced his own signed lyrics with the beat from vibrations he was able to feel in his fingers, toes, chest and stomach. He made his first album in 2006, and a record deal with Warner Music followed in 2009.
"I see myself as proof to others that anything is possible," Signmark wrote. "A Deaf guy succeeding in the music world? I shouldn't have and couldn't have done it, but I did it anyway. Individuals can do anything if they just believe in their dreams."
His inspiring message and background in teaching were what prompted Rochester School for the Deaf to ask him to be the guest at their 19th annual Adventures in Education event.
The event provides two days of interactive, educational experiences for the 128 deaf and hard of hearing students from western and central New York who attend RSD (as well as students from BOCES 1 and Rochester's School 1) and culminates with a performance open to the community.
"Signmark is a real ambassador for the deaf community," said Bill Keenan, director of fund development for the RSD and the Adventures in Education coordinator.
"But he is also a teacher and educates the entire community about inclusivity of abilities."
Although Signmark won't visit classrooms at the RSD until Wednesday, teachers there have already seen his impact on their students.
"It's like he's already been in our classroom for weeks due to the miracle of technology," said Pamela McInerney, music teacher at RSD.
"We're looking forward to finally meeting him in person."
All of McInerney's students — ranging in age from 2 to 21 — have watched Signmark's performances on YouTube. And many of her classes have made their own music videos on green screens of songs such as Aretha Franklin's "Respect" to share with Signmark.
"It's been great for the kids to see that there is someone out there who is deaf performing music today," McInerney said. "We don't only have Beethoven to talk about anymore."
Fellow teacher Barbara Di Giovanni agrees.
"He shows that songs don't always have to be heard through the ears," Di Giovanni said. "Music can be through your eyes as well."
For the past several weeks, students at the Rochester School for the Deaf have been busy learning song lyrics in American Sign Language in preparation for the arrival of an unprecedented guest: Signmark.
Signmark (whose birth name is Marko Vuoriheimo) is the first deaf individual to ever earn a major international recording contract. He performs rap and hip-hop to strong beats and low frequencies in American Sign Language.
"I feel surprised and at the same time excited for Signmark (to visit)," said eighth-grader Brianna Di Giovanni of Irondequoit. "He really is an inspiration. He proved to the world that those who are deaf can succeed in the music industry."
Signmark, 33, did this against great odds.
"There were no Deaf role models in music," Signmark wrote in an email, remembering growing up in Finland with a love of music, but no example of what he could do with it. "Nobody thought ever before to put together Deaf and music. It was considered absurd."
As a teenager watching MTV, he noticed how rappers often used hand gestures with their music and it reminded him of his own "style" — sign language.
Signmark synced his own signed lyrics with the beat from vibrations he was able to feel in his fingers, toes, chest and stomach. He made his first album in 2006, and a record deal with Warner Music followed in 2009.
"I see myself as proof to others that anything is possible," Signmark wrote. "A Deaf guy succeeding in the music world? I shouldn't have and couldn't have done it, but I did it anyway. Individuals can do anything if they just believe in their dreams."
His inspiring message and background in teaching were what prompted Rochester School for the Deaf to ask him to be the guest at their 19th annual Adventures in Education event.
The event provides two days of interactive, educational experiences for the 128 deaf and hard of hearing students from western and central New York who attend RSD (as well as students from BOCES 1 and Rochester's School 1) and culminates with a performance open to the community.
"Signmark is a real ambassador for the deaf community," said Bill Keenan, director of fund development for the RSD and the Adventures in Education coordinator.
"But he is also a teacher and educates the entire community about inclusivity of abilities."
Although Signmark won't visit classrooms at the RSD until Wednesday, teachers there have already seen his impact on their students.
"It's like he's already been in our classroom for weeks due to the miracle of technology," said Pamela McInerney, music teacher at RSD.
"We're looking forward to finally meeting him in person."
All of McInerney's students — ranging in age from 2 to 21 — have watched Signmark's performances on YouTube. And many of her classes have made their own music videos on green screens of songs such as Aretha Franklin's "Respect" to share with Signmark.
"It's been great for the kids to see that there is someone out there who is deaf performing music today," McInerney said. "We don't only have Beethoven to talk about anymore."
Fellow teacher Barbara Di Giovanni agrees.
"He shows that songs don't always have to be heard through the ears," Di Giovanni said. "Music can be through your eyes as well."