This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Mandy Harvey is an award-winning singer, songwriter and motivational speaker who grew up in Longmont and is about to appear on this season's 'America's got talent'. She also just happens to be deaf.
The 29-year old says music is in her DNA and grew up immersed in her father's love for it. Mandy has a connective tissue disorder that affects her nerves and causes many of her joints to regularly dislocate. The disorder had always had some affect on her hearing but at the age of 18, she became profoundly deaf. Enrolled as a Vocal Music Education major at Colorado State University at the time, she ended up leaving the program and tried pursuing other career options but eventually, music called her back.
Mandy spoke to the BBC World Service in March and explained how devastating the loss of her hearing was.
"I can't really describe it as anything other than it felt like I watched myself die. I stopped leaving my room, I had trouble getting out of bed, it was a struggle to breathe. I didn't eat, I didn't shower. It just all fell apart."
She went on to explain how her father was struggling with the loss of his father at the same time. He suggested they play the guitar together like they used to and that Mandy should try learning and singing a new song.
"I thought that was absolutely ridiculous but again he's my Dad and I respect him so I said yes."
With the use of a digital tuner to make sure she started on key, she used sight reading and muscle memory to do the rest. Mandy says she fully expected that to be the final chapter of her singing career but instead, she now travels the country performing and announced on her Facebook page on Friday, May 19th that she auditioned for America's Got Talent season 12.
Mandy is also an ambassador for both No Barriers USA andInvisible Disabilities Association with a mission to "encourage, inspire and assist others in breaking through their personal barriers".
'America's got Talent' started Tuesday, May 30th but Mandy's fans are eagerly awaiting her audition and looking forward to it airing tomorrow night. Everyone at the Longmont Observer wishes Mandy the best of luck!
