When we think of music, we often associate it with sound – a melody that resonates through our ears and touches our hearts. But for me, music transcends sound; it is a visual and tactile experience, rich with emotion and expression. This is the captivating world of Deaf Music – a realm where visual theatre arts create symphonies without sound.

A Childhood Discovery: The Beat of Percussion

My journey with music began at the tender age of ten when I first learnt percussion. The rhythmic vibrations and the physical connection to the percussion instruments open up a new world for me. Even though I could not hear some sounds in the conventional sense, I could feel the beats pulsating through my body, igniting a passion that would shape my future.

Finding My Passion and Breaking New Ground

It was during my time at Ngee Ann Polytechnic that I truly found my calling in Deaf Music. Surrounded by a diverse community and exposed to new ideas, I realized that music could be more than just sound – it could be a powerful medium for expression and connection within the Deaf community. I decided to empower myself with a deeper knowledge of music and sought ways to blend it with theatre arts.

My pursuit led to Hi! Theatre, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to Deaf theatre arts. I had the privilege of being involved in the production, “The Wolf”, an innovative adaption of the classic tale Little Red Riding Hood. This production was my first and last involvement – I learnt Deaf theatre arts, which allowed me to present visual, expressive storytelling. This brought characters to life, making the narrative accessible and engaging.

Unfortunately, Hi! Theatre closed down after “The Wolf”, making it both a singular and profound experience in my artistic journey. The closure underscored the challenges faced by Deaf arts initiatives, but it also fueled my determination to keep the spirit of inclusive theatre alive.

A Symphony of Sight and Movement

Deaf Music is an artistic blend of music, song and Sign Language. It replaces vocal singing and instrumental sounds with visual storytelling, using facial expressions/grammar, body movements, and sign vocabulary to interpret songs and music in a unique and powerful way. This art form allows the Deaf community to experience and share music without relying on auditory elements.

The Art of Interpreting Songs in Sign Language

There are two primary approaches to interpreting songs in Deaf music:

1. Literal Interpretation: Conveying the lyrics exactly as they are, using sign language to interpret each word and phrase.
2. Free Interpretation: Infusing creativity into the interpretation, incorporating elements like visual storytelling, Deaf poetry, and Visual Vernacular to enhance the narrative.

Deaf Poetry and Visual Vernacular

Deaf Poetry leverages the visual-spatial nature of sign language, utilizing SL structures, repetition, and metaphors to create rhythmic and evocative compositions that resonate with both Deaf and hearing audiences.

Visual Vernacular is a performance art form originating within the Deaf community. It relies on a combination of creative hand-shapes, movements, and non-manual signals/markers to craft vivid and dynamic stories without the need for spoken words.

Challenges Within the Community

While there’s a growing interest in song-signing (reframed to Deaf music), not all initiatives support the empowerment of Deaf artists. Some interest groups engage in song-signing without fully understanding or respecting the depth of Deaf culture and artistry. This can be inadvertently undermine the advocacy and efforts of Deaf artists who have dedicated themselves to developing and sharing their art form authentically.

Additionally certain charity models, while well-intentioned, focus on “helping” rather than empowering the Deaf community. This approach can perpetuate a cycle of dependency and overlook the importance of providing opportunities for Deaf individuals to lead and innovate within their own cultural expressions.

Addressing Cultural Appropriation

While sharing cultures can be enriching, it’s crucial to approach it with respect and understanding. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a culture – like sign language – are used without proper acknowledgement or inclusion of the originating community. This can leave Deaf individuals and their language vulnerable to misunderstanding or misrepresentation.

How to Respectfully Engage with Deaf Culture

• Learn from Deaf Teachers: Take courses and buy resources directly from Deaf educators.
• Hire Deaf Professionals: Include Deaf experts in instruction, interpretation, and creative projects.
• Showcase Authentic Representation: Highlight the work of Deaf creators, influencers, writers, and artists.
• Avoid Profiting Unethically: Do not use knowledge of sign language for personal gain without giving back to the community.
• Be Mindful of Impact: Consider how your actions affect Deaf people and their culture, striving for inclusivity and respect.

Embracing Inclusivity

Inclusivity is more than a buzzword – it’s a commitment to recognizing and valuing the abilities of all individuals For the Deaf community, this means:

• Accessible Communication: Providing sign language interpretation and captioning in various settings.
• Patience and Understanding: Embracing different communication methods, such as writing or visual cues.
• Empowerment Through Opportunity: Offering platforms for Deaf individuals to showcase their talents and skills.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Working alongside the Deaf community to create projects that are inclusive and representative.

Moving Forward Together

The world is evolving, and so is the recognition of Deaf culture and Deaf music. Movies, like “CODA” and performances incorporating sign language are bringing more visibility to the Deaf community. However, there’s still much work to be done in shifting mindsets from viewing deafness as a deficiency to appreciating it as a unique cultural identity.

Now, I invite you to join me on my journey. Let’s celebrate the diverse expressions of music, embrace inclusivity, and learn one another. Together, we can support authentic Deaf artistry and ensure that efforts to help the community are empowering and respectful.