OUR FOUNDING DIRECTOR:
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Lora Heller, MS, MT-BC, LCAT, Founding Director is a Board Certified and Licensed Music Therapist with a Master of Science in Special Education/Deaf Education, and mommy to Zeke and Sian. Lora has worked extensively with babies and children of all ages through music and theater, both typically developing and those with special needs. Lora first learned sign language as a summer camp counselor so she could better communicate with a young Deaf camper. In New York City, Lora has provided music therapy, music classes, educational enrichment, drama workshops, and parent/child sign language classes in such places as St. Mary's Hospital for Children, St. Luke's Hospital Division of Child Psychiatry & Roosevelt Hospital Preschool, The New York School for the Deaf, and the 92nd Street Y. She currently provides music therapy services with the Creative Music Therapy Studio in NYC. Lora is a certified Sign with Your Baby instructor; she served as a board member for NYCCAT (New York Coalition for Creative Arts Therapists) and is a member of AMTA (American Music Therapy Association). Based on her graduate research and hands on experience, Lora developed Baby Fingers after Zeke began to sign at 6 1/2 months old! Lora is the author of Sign Language for Kids: A Fun and Easy Guide to American Sign Language (ages 5 & up) and Baby Fingers: Teaching your Baby to Sign (board book series), Sterling Publishers. Look for her Sign Language ABCs in the fall of '11! Lora has also co-authored a chapter for a college textbook about music therapy with the dying and bereaved, and her writing has been published in local parenting magazines.
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Baby Fingers teachers have completed a specific teacher training course to qualify for assignment. All begin with backgrounds in early childhood education, deaf education, social work, psychology, child development, speech therapy, performance, and/or one of the creative arts therapies. Lead teachers have master's or bachelor's degrees in their fields with significant related work experience and are proficient in American Sign Language. Some of our teachers are assisted in class by interns studying ASL, education, or creative arts therapy.
Meet our staff and team...
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BEHIND THE SCENES:
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Ian Lowell Heller, Esq., of Media Management Group, serves as a creative and business consultant to Baby Fingers. From age 6-18, Ian studied and performed cello, piano, & voice in the preparatory division at Manhattan School of Music. A "rock 'n' roller" at heart, he has composed, played keyboards, and sung with his many bands over the years. After 10 years as a Criminal Defense attorney, Ian co-founded Media Management group (www.mmgny.com) and Jealous Mistress Studios. Ian has been an adjunct professor of law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and adjunct professor of marketing at Baruch College. Ian is also proud Daddy to Ezekiel and Ossian! |
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Kristin Long, MA, LCAT, RDT-BCT, is a licensed & board certified drama therapist, having received her master's degree from NYU. In 2000 she co-founded Sign of the Times theater company for Deaf and hearing actors and audiences. Specializing in ASL, children's theater, and psychotherapy, Kristin has brought a wide range of experiences to our program for over 8 years. In addition to teaching in our mommy & me program and special workshops, she has served as our summer coordinator, while assisting with curriculum development and community outreach. Kristin helped to expand our classes to Brooklyn and lower Manhattan while helping to train many of our staff members.
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SENIOR STAFF:
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Kimberly Braun, MA, competed her masters degree in teaching American Sign Language as a foreign language at Teacher's College, Columbia University, and earned her BA in Elementary Education at University if Arizona. Kim currently teaches High School ASL at a prestigious New York City private school. With experience babysitting, working in preschools, and teaching early elementary school, Kim is a valuable member of our team. A wonderful public speaker, Kim often presents our workshops for new mommy programs and schools or families interested in learning more about teaching young children to sign. |
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Ana Vianna-Balzano, BA, was awarded her degree from Hunter College with a major in Sociology and minor in Psychology. Fluent in Portuguese, English, Portuguese Sign Language, and ASL, with a basic knowledge of Italian & Spanish, she uses speech and sign to communicate, bringing a unique linguistic perspective to our program. In Brazil, Ana was a school teacher for Deaf children and adults. In New York, she has worked as a counselor and as a communication skills teacher for Deaf adults. Ana is our primary Brooklyn teacher and has helped us to further expand our program to school age children. Mommy to 3 yr old speaking/signing Michael, Ana is also serving as a mentor to other Deaf teachers on our team. |
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Sara Newman, JD, a former labor and employment attorney, is fluent in ASL. Sara left the law after the birth of her daughter in order to help other women through the transition to motherhood. She and her husband have been signing with their daughter Hallie and now their infant Zachary since birth; Sara and Hallie have taken several Baby Fingers classes, where Sara began her training in our program. An experienced dog trainer and activist in the animal rescue community, she leads seminars on introducing established pets to a new baby in the home. Sara is a member of DONA (Doulas of North America), and recently launched D is for Doula. |
ASL TEACHERS:
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Tamar Manor, MA, completed her graduate work in Therapeutic Recreation at NYU, and received a BA in art from Gallaudet University in DC. Tami has taught ASL classes to teens through adults at various colleges and universities for many years, including NYU, Hunter, Hofstra, and La Guardia Community College. She has also worked as a children's counselor at Lexington School for the Deaf. A native speaker of American Sign Language and valuable resource within the Deaf community, Tami has helped us to develop the Baby Fingers adult ASL program! |
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Gina Di Bartolomeo, BA, received her bachelor of arts in Education from the College of Staten Island, and ASL teaching certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA). She is currently pursuing graduate studies in Early Childhood Special Education. An experienced teacher and Deaf interpreter, Gina has worked extensively as a job coach, ASL instructor, and adjunct professor for such organizations as La Guardia Community College and the New York Society for the Deaf. Gina has been a wonderful resource over the years, and now joins our teaching team. She teaches throughout the program, while helping to launch our ASL tutoring for all ages, as well as our Queens & Staten Island classes. |
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Katina White, MS, is completing her graduate work in Teaching ASL as a Foreign Language at Columbia Teacher's College. She was previously awarded her BA in Elementary Education. A native speaker of ASL, having lost some hearing at the age of 3 years, she utilizes both voice and sign to communicate. Experienced teaching ASL and working with children of all ages, both hearing and Deaf, Katina has volunteered in our classes and will assist with development of our after school programs. She now joins our teacher training program and mommy & me team. |
NEW TEACHERS:
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Danielle Heaton, BFA, received her musical theatre degree from Emerson College in Boston and recently moved to NYC.
Playing the role of Estelle, she appeared in the newly-released film The Box, starring Cameron Diaz, directed by Richard Kelly.
Danielle is continuing her sign language studies and theater work in New York. Proficient in ASL and an experienced caregiver, Danielle now joins our teacher training program and mommy & me team. Danielle will also add to our Music for Babies classes. |
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Jackie Young Lee, BFA, received her degree from the Art Institute of Chicago where her emphasis was fashion and illustration. She has worked as a graphic designer and has since become a yoga teacher. Jackie manages the educational programs at Elahi Yoga where she painted and designed the new studio and its website. Proficient in ASL, she is experienced with children who are "typically developing" and those with "special needs". Jackie now joins our teacher training program and mommy & me team, helping to expand our Upper East Side offerings. |
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Jessica Phillips Lorenz, BFA, began her professional career as an actress and children's theater teacher. Having developed a love for yoga, Jessica became certified by Karma Kids Yoga, among others, specializing in yoga for babies, toddlers, and children. Children respond to her sweet and nurturing personality, and her silly side as well. In addition to teaching and training teachers at Karma Kids Yoga, she is manager of their West Village studio. Jessica now joins our Baby Fingers teacher training program and mommy & me team. Jess will also add to our Creative Play and Sign & Stretch classes, and help to expand our W. Village offerings. |
PARTY LEADERS & MUSICIANS:
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Deven Sisler, BA, completed her degree in a self-designed major in Theatre, Creative Writing & Fine Art from Connecticut College. She received additional training at the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theater and the London International School of Performing Arts. Deven is a certified yoga teacher and clown, and has worked for Clowns Without Borders (CWB) to bring performances and workshops to Katrina afflicted areas. She is available through Baby Fingers to provide clown entertainment and/or songs in sign for children's events & parties. Deven also teaches in our mommy & me program. She worked with Lora to design a special class called Sign & Stretch, fusing our basic curriculum with exercises from post-natal yoga and an exploration of developmentally appropriate movement patterns. |
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Mike Rosengarten, BA, graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Musical Theater. An accomplished young performer, Mike has wowed audiences of all ages with his acting, singing, guitar, comedy, juggling, puppetry and more. Great with kids, he has worked as musical director for children's educational programs, and teaches guitar. Mike joins our team in various capacities, including bringing guitar accompaniment and dramatic flair to some of our classes, offering guitar & piano lessons, and adding an exciting new dimension to our birthday party packages. |
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Jenna Wood, BM, MA, completed her bachelor's degree in piano performance at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and earned her master's degree in music therapy from NYU. Jenna has several years of teaching experience with both "typically developing" children and those with "special needs." She has worked in an elementary school special education program and currently works as a music therapist in NYC. Jenna joins us at Baby Fingers teaching piano lessons and providing music therapy.
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Tom Burnett joins Baby Fingers offering art & music birthday parties for young children and create-a-play parties for school age kids. An artist, musician, actor/director, and teacher, Tom is Director of Early Childhood Programs at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in Sobo. He has also shared his skills with the staff, parents, and children in the New York City Department of Education public school system’s LYPE (Living for the Young Family through Education) program, supporting teenage parents as they continue their education while caring for their children. |
Tri-State Area CONSULTANTS:
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Tara Callaghan, MS, completed her graduate work in Special Education at Fordham University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for Educators. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems at Gallaudet University in Washington. A creative teacher and resource, and mommy to two speaking/signing daughters, Tara serves as a consultant for us in areas outisde the city. |
A special thank you goes out to all teachers, interns, volunteers, and parents who have been a part of our program over the years.
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