Nico DiMarco is a deaf DJ. He is also identified as the fraternal twin brother of America’s Next Top Model winner

Nyle DiMarco Nyle DiMarco (born May 8, 1989) is an American model, actor, and deaf activist. In 2015, DiMarco was the winner of The CW's reality television series ''America's Next Top Model'' in season 22, becoming the second male winner and the first deaf wi ...

Early life and education

DiMarco was born into a family familiar with deafness, as he is a fourth-generation Deaf individual and one of 25 Deaf individuals in his family. He is of

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

, Scottish,

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and

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descent. During his youth his mother moved the family around frequently as she wanted to locate the best deaf education for her children. The family moved first to Texas and later to Frederick, Maryland. After settling in, both Nico and his sibling Nyle attended the

Maryland School for the Deaf The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) provides free public education to deaf and hard-of-hearing Maryland residents of age 0 to 21 years. Maryland School for the Deaf has two campuses in Frederick and Columbia, Maryland. History The school was ...

, before going on to attend

Gallaudet University Gallaudet University ( ) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. It was the first sc ...

in Washington D.C., where he graduated in 2012. Nico has remained in D.C. throughout his life to date. He currently both resides and works in the city.

Musical career

DiMarco did not initially have much exposure to music and after being exposed, became interested by the beats as he is unable to hear most music. He also accessed lyrics by reading along or through memorization. His family was at first skeptical about his interest but eventually DiMarco's parents purchased some speakers in order to help him feel the music's beat and make music more accessible to him at home. He began working as a Deaf DJ while at Gallaudet University. After graduation DiMarco took a job as an IT specialist for the U.S. government while continuing to work as a DJ part-time. DiMarco has stated that he has found success with Deaf audiences but that there is currently no market for Deaf music. He further noted that Deaf DJs work in the music business alongside hearing people and that in order for Deaf people to excel in the music and DJing industry they must "practice and listen to the music more often than hearing people do. It just takes some extra time”. DiMarco prepares for events by reading the lyrics of songs, which allows him to match the rhythm to the words more effectively. When playing at an event DiMarco utilizes various methods such as ASL interpreters or typing out his conversations to ensure accessible communication. He has stated that hearing is not necessary for a person to be able to enjoy music.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:DiMarco, Nico Living people American DJs American deaf people Gallaudet University alumni 1989 births