Libby Tipton

Performing Member

Libby Tipton is a professional sign language interpreter from Flag Pond, TN. Having deaf parents, she was always a natural communicating other people’s stories through her hands. However, she now tells her own stories about life in a colorful deaf Appalachian family.

Dubbed the “Mountain Terp Teller”, Libby utilizes a combination of sign, gesture, and voice to tell stories about her culture, her subculture and her roots. She also enjoys telling folktales, fairytales, stories of healing, historical stories, and singing the old ballads.

In addition, Libby has provided sign language interpreting for deaf audiences at a number of storytelling venues and is a member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild. Libby is currently the Interpreter Coordinator at East Tennessee State University where she works with students who are deaf and hard of hearing.