Troi Lee

He/Him
Artistic Director
Deaf Rave CIC

Award category:

Performing Arts, Television, Radio

In the last 12-18 months, Deaf Rave went from public limited company to CIC since we were awarded from the Art Council’s NPO (national portfolio organisation). It took me 20 years to get to this level which has been an remarkable achievement for myself and my Deaf Rave team. We are a collective of Deaf people who were passionate about music and events for our communities. When I first started Deaf Rave back in 2003 with no experience or support, I had to find my own way to try and strive forward to make things happened. Eventually over the years I have gain a great network of people, organisations and professionals to support and motivate me to provide good services in what we do. We strongly believe is to champion and inspire our d/Deaf community with great role models.

Sometimes you have to motivate yourself, if you want to make things work. That means, utilizing your tools and skills to conjure great work with great people. Beside that as a Deaf person, we faced many barriers and stigma as people didn’t believe Deaf or Disabled people can’t enjoy music for example. I have broken down the myth that Deaf people can enjoy in music.

Never limit yourself, always believe in what you can do in life and make it happen. The d/Deaf and Disable communities have always have been marginalised, we have rise up and make positive things happen with positivity.

Q&A

Troi Lee
If I can do it, you can do it! You must motivate yourself and go out in the big wide world and network. They are many more experienced people than yourself. They have be great mentors and you always keep learning. That the beauty of it.
Deaf Rave for the last 20 years have changed the mindset that d/Deaf and Disable people can achieve in life, especially in music. We must continue to demonstrate that by doing good work.
Our future aims to carry on the educational outreach work into education for d/Deaf children in music. We are trying to teach many d/Deaf children in DJing as technology as evolve and it has become more accessible.
I’m family man now, I just has a new born baby this week (first week in July). Our family growing and I try and play music as music as I can, but my hands is full with my 2 children. I love taking them out.
d/Deaf and Disabled children big smiles when they learn to DJ or try on the vibration vests. It brings wonders.
Dogs
Accessible communication needs for all d/Deaf and Disabled children and young people. To make sure they get the right support in education.
We need more role models within our Disable communities. This would inspire the future generations to come.
DJ workshop with 5 pupils from St Pauls Way school and 3 Deaf Rave tutors. Credit to Antony Fuller for the photo.

Areas of expertise

Accessibility, Charity, social enterprise, Children and young people, Community, Disability Advocacy, Education, Performing arts, Sign language (BSL)

Disability Power 100 profile information is self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.

Image credits: Rajvi – Vaya Media, Antony Fuller
Request easy read version