Meet the team!
Lora Heller, MS, LCAT, MT- BC
Founding Director
Muisc Therapist, Teacher of the Deaf, MOM
Lora is the founding director of Baby Fingers, a creative arts therapist / music therapist, teacher of the Deaf, and a Mom of two boys (now young adults). Her boys were both signing by 6.5 months, using two-sign phrases by 10 mos, and having conversations in sign at a year. That was just the start! Music played an important role in their process with repetition and accessibility as the key. Check out our website for our whole story (and more). All her life, Lora has found whatever she could use as a microphone and a stage. She has performed with several theatre companies including the 2020 season with the New York Deaf Theatre. Her first exposure to sign language was seeing Children of a Lesser God on Broadway at 10 yrs old. Years later, she was a counselor at an overnight camp where she befriended a Deaf camper and began to learn ASL. A music therapist and teacher of the Deaf, she combined her work in both fields when creating Baby Fingers in 2000, inspired by her son’s signs, research in the field, and supported by creative friends in the Deaf community, fulfilling a need for Deaf children to have access to language, parents of Deaf children to learn to sign, and an opportunity to build a community of families interested in supporting language development, bilingualism, and accessibility. Outside of Baby Fingers, Lora teaches in the graduate and undergraduate Music Therapy program at Molloy University on Long Island. She provides music psychotherapy at the Motherhood Center in NYC and with the Angel Band Project. Lora is also a monthly workshop facilitator in the Seeds program at Fanwood/NY School for the Deaf. The team at Baby Fingers includes hearing and Deaf professionals with a variety of inspiring skills and experiences to share with our participants.
Erik Keiser
Teaching Artist
Lead Teacher
Erik, teaching artist extraordinaire! Erik has been teaching at Baby Fingers for several years, in person and online, including our Sign & Song classes, day care / PreK center based programs, birthday parties, and our Sing, Sign, Story Time at local libraries. He works with our students and families 1:1 and in groups, in person and live online. Erik also helps to train new teachers on our team. With his in-depth understanding of child development, our mission and methods, and his unique talents, Erik brings something so special to Baby Fingers. When Erik is not teaching, he can be seen delighting audiences as a variety of characters on stage and screen.
Annette Meyers
Teacher
Annette was born and raised in the Bronx (New York City). She has a four year old daughter and hopes to become an ASL interpreter in the court system. Annette graduated from LaGuardia College with an associates degree in Deaf Studies and currently attends John Jay College completing her bachelors in Humanities and Justice. At Baby Fingers, Annette provides 1:1 language support to children with disabilities and their families. She can also be found in other special programs we offer. Outisde of school or work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Daniela Gonzalez
LCAT, CODA
Drama Therapist &
ASL Interpreter,Teacher
Daniela is a Creative Arts Therapist specializing in Drama Therapy. Through this modality, she integrates Theater and Psychotherapy to support clients in their therapeutic goals. Daniela is a CODA, born and raised in Carolina, Puerto Rico to Deaf parents. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Theater from the University of Puerto Rico, and she worked professionally as a trilingual interpreter and sign language performer. Daniela also participated in two theater troupes that integrated sign language and Deaf performers to address social issues in Puerto Rico through multimedia experimental theater. In New York City, Daniela earned her master’s degree in Drama Therapy from New York University, where she trained and worked with a variety of clientele in both clinical and artistic settings. As a member of the Baby Fingers team, Daniela is eager and motivated to serve the Deaf community, as well as their allies and advocates.
Danielle Heaton
Teaching Artist
Danielle is a Behavioral Therapist and actor with TV, stage, and film credits in LA and NY. You may recognize her from various commercials! While living in NYC, Danielle trained and taught in our family programs, and she now brings Baby Fingers to the LA area! Join our sign & song classes with Danielle in San Marino, Pasadena, and watch out for more! Ask us about home hosting and/or bringing Baby Fingers to your school.
Deanna Cantor
ASL Interpreter & Teacher
Deanna is our team interpreter and teacher. Also a mom of two young boys. When she’s not with her family or at Baby Fingers, she can be found interpreting at the Brooklyn courts. Deanna has taught our sign & song classes, interpreted for a variety of Baby Fingers programs including our Zoom workshop with Savannah Dahan (SavvyASL), and helped launch our online sign language story time.
Emmy Kopstein
Teaching Artist
Emmy is an actor, educator and artist. She earned her BFA in theatre at Emerson College with a minor in Hearing & Deafness. Emmy has worked with children through theatre and as a nanny. She is excited to take her love and passion for ASL, theatre and education to Baby Fingers.
Ian Heller
Composer, Performer, Teacher and Coach
Ian is a NYC Dad. He has been a creative, business, and legal consultant to Baby Fingers since its inception in 2000. He collaborated with Lora in composing and performing Stinky Feet music for Baby Fingers, with his own Jealous Mistress Studios. In NYC, Ian also offers piano lessons, birthday party music, and concerts – often with Lora. Ian recently expanded his Life & Executive Coaching services; he has vast experience as an attorney, sociologist, professor, business owner, media coach, personal manager, ghost writer, parent, and more. Stay tuned for Ian’s podcast “What if I’m right?” releasing in 2026!
Jessica Futran
Teaching Artist
Laura Egharevba
Deaf Mentor & ASL Teacher
Laura first came to Baby Fingers as a parent. Deaf mom to Deaf child, she and her son participated in our in-person and live-online ASL Playgroup. Laura helped to expand our live online adult ASL classes during the pandemic and continues to serve as a Deaf mentor / mentor to parents of Deaf children. Her son is a wonderful friend and role model for Deaf and hearing friends & students alike.
Leah Carson
Signing SLP
Leah is a speech and language pathologist (SLP) who prioritizes language and communication. She earned her master’s degree at Gallaudet University, and is proficient in American Sign Language. Leah has worked with individuals throughout the lifespan, focusing on needs such as safe swallowing, speech development, and language acquisition. She joins our team to support our goal of developing language, while enriching each class with her unique expertise. In addition to providing our signature sign and song class and other special programs, Leah can offer information about SLP services.
Madison Hadley
Teacher
Madison has dual certification in teaching science and special education with a Masters in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently teaches high school biology at 47 American Sign Language and English Secondary School. She also works with DeafBlind clients in Long Island as a service support provider. Madison has been learning sign language for over 6 years, and is active in the Deaf community in NYC. Prior to teaching, she worked for many years in child care and babysitting, and loves working with children of all ages. She is excited to join the Baby Fingers team in a variety of programs, including availability to provide science tutoring for Deaf students in person or virtually.
Maggie Passamonte
Interpreter/Teacher
Maggie is a graduate of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), and a resident of Eastern Long Island. She is hard of hearing herself, and has been passionate about sign language since her earliest memories. She credits her mom for instilling her love of sign language, and is grateful to her parents for equipping her with the tools needed to succeed as a hard of hearing individual. Upon taking ASL classes in high school, she realized she could turn her passion into a career. With the encouragement of her ASL teacher, she visited NTID, fell in love with the ASL Interpreting Training Program, and hasn’t looked back! Since graduating from NTID, she has enjoyed working in the education field, providing children with the same access her parents gave her. Becoming a mom in 2023 has given her further motivation to provide accessibility in the crucial early language years. She has experience interpreting in all levels of education, including in a secondary school for students with developmental disabilities. Additionally, she interprets monthly at a church, bringing access to worship services, and learning the ropes of music interpreting through hymns. Maggie has also enjoyed privately teaching homeschool groups, adding enrichment to their educational experience. She will bring her wealth of experience and her bright smile to various aspects of Baby Fingers both virtually and in person.
Maisa Alvarado
CODA / ASL Teacher
Maisa is an individual with a gift for languages and a rich cultural background. Fluent in American Sign Language, Spanish, and English, she effortlessly bridges communication gaps between groups. Growing up in a Deaf household as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), Maisa brings an understanding and appreciation for Deaf culture. In addition to her linguistic talents, Maisa is a babysitter/nanny and an accomplished nail technician. Since the age of 18, she has been running her own successful nail business, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her craft. (Ask us about nail & glam parties with Maisa!). She is also pursuing her degree and certification in Speech-Language Pathology.
Rafie Legene
Deaf Mentor, Teacher of the Deaf and ASL
Rafie is a Long Island based Deaf teacher of the Deaf and ASL, he attended RIT/NTID for his master’s degree. He has taught preK through college in NY area schools to students with and without disabilities. Currently, he teaches ASL in two Long Island universities. Rafie helped to launch our adult ASL classes several years ago, now offered in person and live online.
Sophie Yesuneh
Teacher/CODA/Interpreter
Sophie is a nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and passionate advocate for early language access and inclusive communication. ASL is Sophie’s native language, and growing up with immigrant parents within Deaf culture gave her a deep appreciation for the role language plays in connection, confidence, and a child’s development.
Sophie has extensive experience with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Her professional interpreting work spans educational, medical, legal, and government settings, supporting diverse communication needs with cultural awareness and care. Sophie has contributed to inclusive community initiatives internationally, including the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi and the Anusarnsunthorn School for the Deaf in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Through Baby Fingers, Sophie combines her love of music, movement, and ASL storytelling to create joyful, engaging classes for babies, toddlers, and children with special needs. Her goal is to help families build connection, confidence, and communication through sign language
Sara Gottlieb
ASL Teacher
Sara, who loves all things Disney, earned her master’s degree in teaching ASL. She teaches full time for a NY area school, and leads Baby Fingers ASL after school programs. Let us know if you’re looking for Queens/Nassau area enrichment. Sara also provides Baby Fingers sign & song parties to celebrate your special occasions!
Terrice Boone
Teaching Artist
Terrice is a Brooklyn based Mom who has been studying ASL for the past 20 years. She and her daughter are very active together in the Deaf community and have been participants in Baby Fingers programs. Terrice has degrees in both Art & Dance, and has taught both to kids of all ages. She provides creative ASL enrichment in our after school and library programs at Baby Fingers.
Yiru Chen
Teacher of the Deaf and Teaching Artist
Yiru, a teacher of the Deaf and a performance artist, earned her degree in film studies from NYU and her master’s in Deaf Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. In addition to working on her award winning films (with one featured at the Seattle Deaf Film Festival!), she teaches preK at St. Francis De Sales school for the Deaf in Brooklyn. She is on the Deaf Spotlight board, assists with ASL Slam, and brings her creativity to a variety of community programs. At Baby Fingers, Yiru can be found supporting our library, school based, and home hosted classes.