Jeremy has been acting since grammar school and continues to feed off the addiction. Since 1997 when he helped propel Deaf Poets Society at the Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle, he has performed American Sign Language literature professionally on a national scale. Over the years he has been involved in several theater productions, film projects and gallery exhibitions.

With a Masters of Fine Arts from the School for American Crafts at R.I.T. in Metal sculpture, art in all its forms is a consuming passion for Jeremy. In June he completed a month long Deaf Artist Residency Program at The Anderson Center in Tower View. Jeremy’s inspiration comes from sharing his appreciation of the great Pacific Northwest with his wife, Annette, and the many adventures they take with their dogs.

Joey started moving his feet as a young child, he has developed a love for dancing throughout his life. He danced with local artists from Michigan and national artists such as: Goo Goo Dolls, J. Moss, 21:03, to name a few. In 2008, Joey had an amazing, humbling opportunity to compete with his dance crew, “ASIID”, to be on MTV’s “America's Best Dance Crew” Season 2. This lead to the opportunity to tour nationally with “ABDC” Champions: “Jabbawockeez” (Season 1 Champs) and “Super Cr3w” (Season 2 Champs) as well as ABDC crews, “Fanny Pak” and “Breaksk8”. Now recently has found a new home in LA! Only through his dancing can Joey express to you how much he loves to dance. Being able to teach dance is the ultimate gift for him because we all share one thing, the love for dance. He's a living proof that you can be anything you want to be no matter how hard life could be, just as long as you believe in yourself!

Sean is a musician on a mission. An accomplished and passionate drummer, rhythm pours out of him, when he breathes, walks, types at his keyboard or hits his drums. Music is in his blood, his cells; it’s just the way he is. He’s also deaf – and out to build a badly needed bridge between the music industry and deaf people everywhere.

Sean grew up in Detroit where his parents, both musicians, filled their home with the sounds of the Motor City: Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger, the Funk Brothers and more. Despite losing his hearing as a baby, Sean soaked up the beats and the vibrations, experiencing great music in his own way.

Inspired by what he calls “The Three B’s” (the Beastie Boys, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan), Sean started out making music videos in his basement and today is producing professional music videos with a focus on the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. He is a voice for not only his generation but deaf culture. He is co-founder of D-PAN, The Deaf Professional Arts Network, a non-profit organization that focuses on translating popular artists' songs into American Sign Language music videos for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

With his passion for music, Sean has opened the door to musical expression – a world historically considered off limits to people in the deaf community. His dream of music for all has helped to transform the way deaf people perceive music. Through his videos and his outreach to deaf people everywhere – particularly young people eager to feel included in popular culture – music is being presented to them as a beautifulsymphony of thought and expression, available to all. The hearing community, too, is fascinated by his ASL translations of musical hits and is clamoring for more. Since 2008, Forbes has also performed in over 20 cities across the US and has appeared in front of over 15,000 people.

Sean Forbes is living proof that if you have enough passion and dedication, magic happens and dreams come true. “The world is run by those who show up,” he says, “And I’m showing up.”

www.deafandloud.com

Crazy Beats

Are you ready for whacky? Want to get goofy? Want some hilarious rhythm? Then you are ready for the rhythmic music and signs of Crazy Beats! CJ Jones and Bob Hiltermann combine their comedic genius and musical talents to create the high-energy, visually stimulating performance. More about these talented performers, watch their inspiring documentaries, “See what I am Saying,” and “The Heart is the Drum Machine.”

Theron Parker leads a notable career as a performer, instructor and presenter. Theron, renowned for his ABC stories, has produced four DVDs: In the Minds of Ed and Theron, Have ASL, Will Travel: Fables from Around the World, Folklore from Around the World, and Little Deaf Spies. Theron also appeared in Forget Me Not, and served as an assistant producer, set production assistant, and camera technician for ASL Films.

Theron also was part of Illusion of ASL, a deaf theater group, for five years. A certified Baby Signs® instructor, he teaches literacy through American Sign Language for his non-profit organization, ABC ASL, working with children and parents. A popular presenter, Theron travels the country and Canada to present workshops on different topics, ranging from Deaf humor to Deaf history to ASL storytelling. Theron’s videos can be seen on YouTube, or on www.justmindy.com.

For Theron, ASL storytelling is the most beautifulmusic imaginable. With its natural beauty and expressiveness, he aspires to expose ASL to as many generations of deaf children and hearing people as possible. He makes his home with his family in Austin, TX.

Originally from Michigan but currently live in Wisconsin, Christopher Rawlings was born Deaf. He attended the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, RIT and is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a degree in ASL studies. Christopher is currently working at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf as an ASL Specialist. Christopher is an active participant within the Deaf community in Wisconsin. He also performs stand-up comedy, skits and improvisation throughout the community. Christopher’s main goal is to make people laugh and feel good about themselves. During Christopher’s spare time he loves spending time with his wife, 2 daughters and son. Watch out, Christopher is coming from the midwest, which means he knows how to make you laugh like there is no tomorrow! Hope you are ready!

If there’s one thing all dancers can agree on, it’s that nothing can stop them from dancing—even the most challenging obstacles. Case in point? Shaheem Sanchez, a talented dancer who went deaf at the age of 4. Sanchez always loved to dance and wouldn’t let his inability to hear the music change that. So, he taught himself how to detect the music’s vibrations instead, letting the feeling drive his rhythm. As evidenced by the video below, Sanchez has an amazing understanding of the way music feels. His responses to the notes are beautifully on point, and become even more so when the video shows viewers how difficult it is to keep track of the beat. It’s super inspiring and a must-see! Check it out below:

Sam Sandler - master illusionist, inspirational speaker works with schools, churches and many other organizations across America to create powerful, life-changing events. With close to 8,000 live shows in 45 states, Sam has perfected the blend of magic and comedy with a powerfuland dynamic inspirational message. Through his magic and personal stories of overcoming his deafness, Sam unleashes the truth of how we can experience true joy in a world that is full of deception.

www.samsandlerdeaf.com         www.samsandler.com

WAWA... A RAPPER WHO HAPPENS TO BE DEAF.

When you go to "Wawa's House", you'll be taken to a whole new level of music through DEAF eyes! Being in the music game for nearly 15 years and shows no sign of slowing down, Wawa's doing what he does best...breaking down barriers, taking on challenges and educating people about deaf musicians in the hearing world. While he's doing that...each day, in every way, moving one step closer to his life's personal goal...to put Deaf recording artists on the mainstream music map! Thus the creation ofa new genre DIP-HOP ( Hip-Hop thru deaf eyes). Nowadays people only see and understand Hip-Hop the hearing way but what about the deaf? Get ready to have your minds unraveled and reprogrammed with mind boggling facts, through music. Wawa's making sure that the Deaf community is getting HEARD!

Oh! Did I forget to mention that he was in Maxwell's latest lyric video, FINGERS CROSSED? Search YOUTUBE and be amazed.

Sho Sum Luv!

www.diphopwawa.com