Mandy Harvey - A Music: Not Impossible Help One, Help Many Story

Video Description

Experience the impact of Music: Not Impossible through the eyes of Deaf Singer/Songwriter Mandy Harvey, and share in her vision and passion for a future that fosters music accessibility and inclusivity for all. Mandy Harvey taught herself to use her sense of touch to experience and perform music. She shared this knowledge with our Not Impossible Labs team to help create Music: Not Impossible, a wearable technology that translates sound into vibration in order to reach the brain through the skin. Now, thanks to our technology solutions partners at Avnet, this 'impossible idea' is a product that creates inclusive music experiences, with the ability to 'amplify' a live concert in real-time. Today, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we salute those dedicated to technology for the sake of accessibility and are proud to share Mandy's story. About Music: Not Impossible Music: Not Impossible (M:NI) is an applied Vibrotextile™ technology that translates sound onto the skin through vibration, allowing users to feel the nuances of a music-listening experience. The M:NI product creates an experience and opportunity for creative expression that constitutes a new art form for all. Initially inspired by deaf music fans, M:NI's use during a concert produces a dramatic effect for all participants, regardless of their hearing, delivering a shared 'surround body' experience. About Not Impossible Labs Founded on the principle of Technology for the Sake of Humanity, Not Impossible Labs is a one-of-a-kind, award winning technology incubator and content studio dedicated to changing the world through technology and story. Since 2008, Not Impossible Labs has engineered, programmed, hacked and crowd-solved issues of inability and inaccessibility and provided low-cost solutions for the most vulnerable on our planet. Not Impossible disrupts the status quo by creating impactful innovations and then producing compelling content in which the journey of that innovation inspires many to action. This creates a sustainable cycle where collaboration inspires innovation, and where our content compels further action. This is our "HELP ONE. HELP MANY" philosophy that breaks down barriers and enables greater access for all. Along with our community of passionate and talented engineers, makers, idea generators and storytellers, we are making the impossible, Not Impossible. About Mandy Harvey Mandy Harvey is a deaf American singer-songwriter. A Vocal Music Education major at Colorado State University, Mandy lost her residual hearing in 2006-2007 at age eighteen due to a connective tissue disorder, and left the program. She pursued several career options, including education, but returned to music in 2008. She quickly became a regular performer at Jay’s Bistro in Fort Collins and then branched out to having regular concerts at Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver (Top 100 Jazz venues in the world). Mandy’s music attracts the attention of those around the world, adding to her message of hope, dream and believe. As you have seen, Mandy has made a tremendous impact by way of America’s Got Talent having reach the finals and was Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer Winner, and in addition, CNN’s Great Big Story captured over 10 million hits on social media, Burt’s Bees signed her up for their “Remarkable Women” campaign, NBC Nightly News profiled her, and she has started performing at the world’s most prestigious clubs, concert stages and festivals. Not content to rest on her burgeoning recording career, her live performances, and her inspirational speaking, Mandy just released her first book title; Sensing The Rhythm, Finding My Voice In a World Without Sound published by Howard Books/Simon & Schuster, with a message of helping others to realize their dreams and pursue their hopes. As an Ambassador for No Barriers USA, she travels the country to heighten awareness, break down blocks, challenge stereotypes, and lead the charge toward a brighter future for all. While her dream of becoming a choir director has died, the music is still alive and well within her. Though her hearing loss is profound, her timing, pitch and passion are perfect. With support from friends, family and her faith, Mandy continues to find joy in the music. About Avnet From idea to design and from prototype to production, Avnet supports customers at each stage of a product's lifecycle. A comprehensive portfolio of design and supply chain services makes Avnet the go-to guide for innovators who set the pace for technological change. For nearly a century, Avnet has helped its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at Avnet.com.