aren't just used for common gesticulation when he converses. They are a part of his main form of communication. This MU junior is deaf and uses American Sign Language as well as speech to communicate.
Kristal is a teaching assistant for an ASL 1 class on campus. With the semester nearing its close, students in the class prepare for their final, which is performing a song in sign language. The students choose a song and choreograph signs to the lyrics, and then perform it in front of the class. The performances become a mixture of dancing and singing, similar to what music interpreters do for live musical shows.
Krisal invited students from his class into his home to practice their individual performances.
Hayden Kristal's hands
the involved MU Junior, Hayden Kristal. Not only is he a teaching assistant for an ASL 1 class on campus, as shown in the gallery below, but he also is the leader of the club called MU Student Exceptions, known as MUSE. This group brings together people of all different abilities to discuss accessibility and disabilities on campus, emphasizing what they can do to increase awareness and make change.
The many facets of Hayden do not stop there. He also performs drag, with his own twist, of course. This twist is that he performs in sign language. Hayden performed for MU students at the Black and Gold Drag show earlier in the Fall, doing well enough to be asked to perform at the New Performer's Competition at SoCo Club, Columbia's gay bar and drag show venue. He went on to win that competition and will be competing soon in the All Star Show.
.Drag show photo in video courtesy of Hayden Kristal