Arts
In this episode, hosts Alexandra March & Nicole Zell interview Christopher Spousta, a deaf musician, as well as discuss the topics of deaf culture and community.About the guest:The last thing anyone would have thought when Christopher Spousta was born was that he would grow up to become a musician. Born partially deaf and given up for adoption at only three months old, the Massachusetts native came into the world with the cards stacked against him. However, his story is not only one of triumph and perseverance, but awe-inspiring talent. In school, Chris learned to play all thirteen orchestral instruments, but when he first sat behind a drum kit at thirteen years old, he knew that was his instrument. Chris went on to play in state superior ranked East Ridge High School jazz band in Florida. He performed in numerous bands including hardcore metal band, Far From Truth, which toured three years in a row on Warped Tour during 2008-2010. He studied music theory at a local community college before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA for conducting and composing. In 2017, Chris joined east coast based alternative pop band, THRILLCHASER. Additionally, Chris performs in a duo act with Nicole Zell, the lead singer of THRILLCHASER, in which he performs on a vintage suitcase drum kit that he specially handmade. His experience speaks for itself as he is well-versed in pop, hip hop, alternative, heavy rock, metal, jazz, and more - not only as a live performer but also a studio drummer. As his career has progressed, so has his hearing loss which is now considered legal deafness. When most people would have given up, Christopher has continued to pursue music. He chooses to use it as an advantage, refusing to let it be a disadvantage. His loss of hearing is also his secret superhuman ability, allowing him to access something deep and profound that few are able to tap into as musicians. It is something that goes beyond mere sound, beyond the perceivable human senses, it is something you feel when you witness Christopher Spousta play. You can find out more info on Chris here:https://www.facebook.com/chrisspousta/A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to our new friend, an extremely talented and generous ASL interpreter, Beily Hernandez, who interpreted this podcast. You can view the interpreted video here:https://youtu.be/OlnUBHT0u-IYou can find out more info on Beily here:https://www.instagram.com/aslbeily/Be part of the Follow Your Art fam! Subscribe to the podcast and follow us on social media!Facebook:www.facebook.com/followyourartpodcast/Instagram:www.instagram.com/followyourart_podcast/If you have any questions or topics you'd like to explore or if you'd like to submit your art to be featured on our platforms, please email us:followyourartpodcast@gmail.comMusic: Benya Barshai Logo: Jess SpoustaProducer: Mariano Mattei