Singer and ukulele player on finding musical success after losing her hearing

Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
July 30, 2018

By David Sands

Mandy Harvey doesn’t rely on the sound of her instrument to guide her playing, instead she uses its feel. An award-winning singer-songwriter and ukulele player, she’s been deaf since she was nineteen years old. At the time Harvey lost her hearing, due to a connective tissue disorder, she had been studying music education at Colorado University.

Undeterred by what for some might have been a career-ending setback, she’s pushed on with her dream and now performs her music all over the world. Harvey has released three jazz albums, received VSA’s 2011 International Young Soloist award, and appeared on the twelfth season of America’s Got Talent, where she placed fourth. With Mark Atteberry, she’s also the co-author of the book Sensing the Rhythm: Finding My Voice In A World Without Sound.

FBPO’s Jon Liebman caught up with Harvey at the 2018 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tennessee, to learn more about her amazing story, her thoughts about Kala’s line of products (including their famous U-Bass) and upcoming projects.

Watch our interview with Mandy!