ASL Interpreters Stealing the Show at Concerts

A couple of weeks ago, Tamberly B posted a TikTok video of the American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at a Ludacris concert. It went viral because her performance was as impressive to the hearing audience as it was to those who know ASL. Watch Nakia Haley-Stuckey perform her magic.

This is not at all like an interpreter at a news conference. What Haley-Stuckey is doing requires a song to be completely memorized and studied for the interpretation to be planned. This is a style pioneered by Amber Galloway, who not only interprets the lyrics of songs, but keeps the beat and illustrates the instrumental sections of the music as well, to bring the music alive for those who cannot hear it. Galloway has memorized up to 150 songs in order to interpret at music festivals. She became such a popular interpreter that she now runs a music interpretation service and teaches others the skill. Here is Amber Galloway interpreting Twista.

See more of Galloway's work at YouTube.

Another concert interpreter who has gained fame is Kelly Kurdi. Kurdi went viral for her interpretation of Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back."

Kurdi became even more famous with her explicit interpretation of "WAP" by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. You can see that here. 

​Holly Maniatty is another interpreter who went viral, back in 2013 when she interpreted for several rappers at the Bonnaroo festival and got the attention of Method Man from the Wu-Tang Clan, seen above. Here she draws the same attention from Waka Flocka Flame.

Then there's interpreter Justina Miles, who is deaf herself and an athlete besides. In 2023, she shone brightly as the interpreter for the Super Bowl halftime show starring Rihanna.

Kudos to all the concert ASL interpreters who brings the joy of live music to more people, both live and on video.