Hamilton: overcoming hearing loss to make its music
As a child, Alex Lacamoire was diagnosed with a hearing impairment, but he went on to become the orchestrator of the hit musical Hamilton, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Alex Lacamoire is the award-winning orchestrator, arranger and conductor for the hit musical Hamilton. This hip hop homage to the revolutionary US statesman Alexander Hamilton - which was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda - has become one of the most successful musicals of all time.
But Alex has his own story to tell. He's the son of Cuban immigrants, and although he's now one of the world's most celebrated composers, as a child he was diagnosed with a hearing impairment. It was even suggested he go to a school for deaf children. But his mother was determined he would stay in mainstream school. And despite his hearing challenges, his passion and talent for music grew.
Alex first encountered Lin-Manuel Miranda back when he was a lyricist and rapper trying to create his first professional show. They joined forces. Lin would dream up the songs, and Alex would work out how the music would sound. And the chemistry between them would form part of the magic behind the development of Hamilton.
The Hamilton film will be available to stream on Disney Plus from 3 July, 2020.
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Picture: Alex Lacamoire and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Credit: Theo Wargo / Wire Image / Getty Images
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