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ADVENTURES IN EDUCATION 2011“Signmark’s message is testament to the power of music as a universal language. His ability to reach both hearing and deaf audiences is an inspiration and should be applauded.”
- Arild Remmereit, the new Rochester (NY) Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director from Norway.
Rochester School for the Deaf
Adventures in Education
Proudly presents
S I G N M A R K
"What do you mean by impossible?"
October 13, 2011
Rochester School for the Deaf
1545 St. Paul Street,
Rochester, NY 14621
Signmark is a deaf born rapper, performing his music with American Sign Language.
He pursued his childhood dream and became the first deaf person in the world with a record deal. Signmark started out by giving a voice to his own silent community. In five years the artist has grown to inspire his diverse audiences to step up together and take the responsibility of being the voice of change in the society.
Signmark (a.k.a. Marko Vuoriheimo) started spreading his message over strong beats where low frequencies play a crucial part. Hip-hop is Signmark’s music style because it has a clean bass-line and strong vibrations that help the deaf artist to feel the music and through that adapt to the rhythm as he signs his lyrics.
Hip-hop culture has a tradition to combine visual art, music and blend in social critique. This also fits together with Signmark. Music is more than what you can hear!
 Hip-hop artist Brandon who is Signmark’s voice for the hearing audience supports Signmark’s albums, videos and performances. The live shows are always bilingual and inclusive for a diverse crowd. The songs are performed with American Sign Language and spoken English.
Signmark’s career as an artist started with translating Christmas carols to Sign Language so the whole family could sing together. He wanted to bring his hearing grandparents and deaf parents together through music. Signmark’s thoughts about the latest album “Breaking the Rules” (2010): “There are still a lot of people that need to come together like my family did.”
Signmark, as a new phenomenon in the music industry, has gained international interest by touring in several countries including Japan, USA, Iceland, China, Spain, Ethiopia, Australia and Namibia. Signmark’s unique and original work has not been unnoticed; several contemporary cultural organizations have praised him. He won The Outstanding Young Person of the World 2009 prize. Year 2010 Signmark was named Minister for Foreign Affairs for Finland Alexander Stubb’s special representative for promoting the human rights at international forums.
With his hearing business partner, Nuppu Stenros and his band, Signmark tours schools, contemporary culture Institutions, colleges and universities in Finland and abroad. Signmark spreads the word that individuals can do anything if they just believe in their dreams and pursue them regardless of meeting a lot of “you can’t do it”. Signmark’s mission is to build bridges and counter acts of prejudice.
Signmark says: “Your dreams are waiting to come true, start now, don’t wait until tomorrow.”
Links to follow:
www.signmark.biz
www.facebook.com/OfficialSignmark
www.mysilentshout.com
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