| 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, both typically developing and those with special needs. Growing up in Rochester, NY, Lora first learned sign language as a summer camp counselor so she could better communicate with a young Deaf camper. Through her bachelor's thesis--a study of music in Deaf culture--Lora wrote, directed, and produced a musical play performed simultaneously in English (by hearing college students) and in ASL (by members of the local Deaf community). Her graduate thesis involved a pilot program teaching sign language through music to parents and their children ages 3 months through three years. While practicing music therapy in Rochester, Lora also performed in professional theater (her favorite role was Cinderella) and directed an inter-city youth theater company. 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. Lora is a certified Sign with Your Baby presenter; she is a board member for NYCCAT (New York Coalition for Creative Arts Therapists) and a member of AMTA (American Music Therapy Association). 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. 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. Meet our staff and team... |
 | Ian Lowell Heller, Esq., of Media Management Group 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. He manages careers in entertainment and media while composing and producing music, DVDs, videos (music & non-music) for a variety of individuals & groups (including Stinky Feet & Baby Fingers) Ian is 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! |
 | 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, deafness "rehabiliation", children's theater, and psychotherapy, Kristin has brought a wide range of experiences to our program for over 6 years. In addition to teaching in our mommy & me program and special workshops, she served as our summer coordinator, is assisting with curriculum development and community outreach. Kristin has also expanded our classes to downtown Manhattan and to Brooklyn. |
 | 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 working in preschools and teaching early elementary school, Kim now joins our teaching team offering our unique classes around the city. A wonderful public speaker, Kim also presents our workshops for new mommy programs and schools or families interested in learning more about teaching young children to sign. |
 | Lori Taylor, BA, is a professional musician and music educator. She received her bachelor of arts in music education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, and has played with a number of well known orchestras in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York including Manhattan School of Music. Lori has taught instrumental and general music in elementary through high school, while directing school marching bands. She has worked as a live-in nanny and is now a new mommy! She and Cameron are active participants in Baby Fingers sign language classes. Lori is a licensed Kindermusik teacher and brings her special classes to our program. |
 | Jill Ericksen, BFA, earned her degree in Musical Theater from The New School University where she minored in Creative Writing. Jill received her performance training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She has been pursuing fluency in ASL, having studied at The New School where she received an award for excellence in ASL. An experienced Nanny, Jill joins our mommy & me teacher training program, while enhancing our school based classes and our Drama Sign curriculum. |
 | Ana Vianna-Balzano, BA,was awarded her degree from Hunter College with a major in Sociology and minor in Psychology. Ana grew up in Brazil, born deaf but raised in a hearing family and hearing school. Fluent in Portuguese, English, Portuguese Sign Language, and ASL, with a basic knowledge of Italian & Spanish, she brings a unique linquistic perspective to our program. In Brazil, Ana taught elementary school for the Deaf children and adults. In New York, she has worked as a counselor and as a communication skills teacher for Deaf adults. A new mommy to 9 month old Michael, Ana joins our mommy & me team. |
 | 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, Tami joins us at Baby Fingers to launch our adult ASL program! |
 | 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 clown, hatha vinyasa yoga R.Y.T. & CircusYoga teacher specializing in classes for children & families. She spent a summer in Aceh, Indonesia as part of a program specially designed to help survivors of trauma overcome grief and shock through creative expression. In the states, she also worked for Clowns Without Borders (CWB) to bring performances and workshops to Katrina afflicted areas. Deven presently teaches children ages 4 months to 18 years at NYC yoga studios & after-school programs, specializing in a fusion of circus skills & yoga. She is available through Baby Fingers to provide clown entertainment for children's events & parties. Training in ASL and our curriculum, Deven now joins our mommy & me teaching team. |
 | 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). 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. She teaches ASL at DC 37 Teacher Fund, and serves as a full time Family Court assistant for legal interpreting. Gina now joins us at Baby Fingers to launch our Staten Island classes. |
 | Nanonte Dailey, BA is a performance artist and teacher specializing in American Sign Language and Creative Movement. After completing her degree in Business Administration at Lincoln University (PA), Nanonte moved into the field of education. As a teaching artist, substitute, and creative arts teacher, she has worked with elementary and middle school kids throughout the city. Nanonte is also a mom to two school aged children. She now joins our teacher training program to offer her expertise in our mommy & me and our kids sign classes. |
 | Daniel Golden, B.Mus, earned his degree in Studio Composition from the Purchase Conservatory of Music. He also studied Jazz at the Hartford Academy of the Arts and attended a summer performance program at Berklee College of Music. An accomplished young composer, Dan's music can be heard on stage, TV, and film, as well as recordings including Sesame Street Beginnings DVD. An experienced camp counselor and music specialist, Dan joins our teacher training program, while bringing more music to our class offerings and enhancing our unique Birthday Party Program. |
 | Amy Griffin-Otterberg, MA (Deaf Ed), M.Ed (special ed), completed her graduate work at Teacher's College after graduating with honors from Bloomsburg University with a BS in early childhood & elementary education. Amy has taught various subjects and age levels at several schools for the Deaf, and continues her studies in the interpreter training program at La Guardia Community College. With a background in music and clinical experience in a Deaf infant-parent program, Amy joins our mommy & me team. |
 | Hillary Baack, BA, mom to Finley, is a deaf actress who made her NYC stage debut in her one woman show BIRTH STORY. Hillary has also been seen on Law & Order, on stage with the New York Deaf Theater, and featured on the Discovery Health Channel's Runway Moms. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a double major in Theatre and English, and has studied with DeafWest Theatre in Los Angeles. Hillary worked as a staff sign language interpreter at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she also also taught ASL workshops. She taught ASL throughout the city for two years and previously taught English and ASL to deaf children in Barcelona, Spain. Hillary and her family have moved to LA to pursue the arts there. We look forward to her eventual return to Baby Fingers, expanding to LA or re-joining us in NYC. |
| A special thank you goes out to all teachers, interns, volunteers, and parents who have been a part of our program over the years. |