With effortless intonation and immaculate timing, jazz singer and songwriter Mandy Harvey brings fresh delight to both standards and original work, so it’s easy to understand why she is a contestant in season 12 of America’s Got Talent. But what’s fascinating about Mandy is that, while studying for a career as a choir director, she became almost completely deaf. Although she temporarily abandoned her music studies, eventually she recognized that passion and determination can make anything possible, and in overcoming the challenges of profound hearing loss she has inspired millions. And fans love her impeccable interpretations of jazz hits and her imaginative, heartfelt original songs. ($)