Elisheva White/TikTok (2) A 24-year-old started releasing ASL covers of popular songs to pay for her schooling Elisheva White, whose father is deaf, tells PEOPLE she learned ASL at a young age White is in graduate school studying Marriage and Family Therapy One 24-year-old woman from Saratoga Springs, Utah, is using American Sign Language to bring music to life by creatingcovers of her favorite songs. Through her viral TikTok videos, Elisheva White connects with her father and the deaf community, all while supporting her journey through graduate school. "I've been signing songs for my dad at various events anytime there is a song that I want him to experience with me," White tells PEOPLE exclusively. Growing up with a deaf father meant ASL was a natural part of her life, and it's a connection she's continued to nurture, even after moving out of the house. "I don't use it on a day-to-day basis now that I am married and out of the house, but the ASL covers were a great way for me to keep up on my ASL," she says. White started sharing ASL covers on TikTok in April 2025, but never dreamed of becoming a viral sensation. Instead, she was looking for more ways to pay for her education. By creating covers on TikTok, she's been able to slowly chip away at her grad school payments. Elisheva White "I have always been a performer, and I have been active on TikTok for a while now," she says. "I have been making lifestyle and fashion content and wanted to incorporate this aspect of myself as an attempt to pay for my schooling." White is "currently working three jobs" while juggling full-time school. She's studying Marriage and Family Therapy, a path that requires not just passion but also financial commitment. So far, she's made about $1,300 through brand deals, but admits she still has a long way to go. "It's a work in progress," White says, sharing that she has $49,000 more to pay off. However, her motivation goes beyond just finances. White loves sharing music with her father, who otherwise wouldn't have the same access to it. "I do the ASL covers, yes, to hopefully pay for grad school, but also to share my deep love of music with my dad," she says. When asked about her favorite song to cover, she couldn't point to just one. "I love fully immersing myself into the concepts, and the costuming, and sharing how I relate to the song with others," she explains. Even though White is still figuring out how to make ASL covers a sustainable source of income, she encourages others to find what makes them unique and share it: "Find that special thing about yourself, and share it authentically." Read the original article onPeople
