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Students who are deaf or hard of hearing recently experienced a Woodson High School Orchestra performance through technology that translated the music into vibrations across their bodies.
The special instrument petting zoo at Canterbury Woods Elementary School featured 12 vibrotextile harnesses from the nonprofit Music: Not Impossible. Each wearable system includes a harness, wristbands, and ankle bands that transmit vibrations to eight areas of the body.
The technology allowed students to distinguish elements of the performance through touch, from the deep resonance of a cello to the sharper rhythm of a violin.
Woodson senior Maia, a student leader in the orchestra, advanced the project with orchestra teacher Devyn Wilcox. Maia told students that the equipment turns instrumentation into vibrations, conveying the rhythms, dynamics, and emotions created by the musicians.
As the orchestra performed, Canterbury Woods students danced and laughed, while some shed tears of joy. For many of the students, it was their first opportunity to experience a live ensemble in this way.
After the performance, students tried playing string instruments supplied by Day Violins.
The event is part of the Woodson Orchestra’s continuing effort to expand access to music for Fairfax County Public Schools students who are deaf or hard of hearing. FCPS also provides specialized services to support those students in classrooms and other school settings.