We’re an eclectic bunch, that’s for sure! Baby Fingers staff members are highly qualified and tremendously experienced. Everyone has completed at least an undergraduate degree in addition to our specialized training. We all share a passion for working with families, children, and educators.
So who are we?
Lora Heller, MS, MT-BC, LCAT, CEIM. Founding Director. I am a board certified music therapist and licensed creative arts therapist. I also have my master of science in special education -deaf education, author of 7 sign language books for children, and a certified educator of infant massage. During the year, in addition to directing Baby Fingers, training teachers, and teaching classes, I work and teach part time in a college music therapy program. My summers are spent directing youth musical theater. I’m a mom to two boys, now teenagers, who both started signing at 6 1/2 months old! (https://mybabyfingers.com/staging/9114/our-story). Based on my undergraduate research, graduate thesis, and a lot of hands on experience (professionally and personally), I created Baby Fingers and launched as an LLC in January, 2000. We are proud to be celebrating 15 years of singing and signing!
Jacob Hoffman. A musical theater actor who first learned sign language as a child working with the Chicago Theater for the Deaf, Jacob earned his degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He spends his week as a nanny for children of all ages when he’s not teaching Baby Fingers classes; he also spends many evenings and weekends on the stage. Incredibly compassionate, knowledgeable, and talented, Jacob teaches our sign language classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers; he also teaches our music for babies and creative drama programs.
Marie Battaglia. A board certified music therapist, early childhood special educator, and new mom, Marie was an intern with Baby Fingers 10 years ago and now returns to join our staff. Within our program, Marie provides music therapy services for young children with special needs, adapted music lessons (guitar/piano), music for babies, and our signature sign language classes. She cantors at her church and, a classical flute player, Marie continues to perform in various venues.
Barbara Lippman. A board-certified music therapist completing her graduate degree, Barbara provides music therapy services and adapted lessons (piano/guitar) for young children with special needs. While Barbara is trained to work with clients of all ages and with a wide variety diagnoses, she is especially experienced with school age children who have neuro-developmental disorders as well as social-emotional and language issues, attention deficits, and sensory integration disorders.
Ian Heller. Classically trained at the Manhattan School of Music, Ian offers piano and cello lessons for beginners of all ages. A natural teacher and a former criminal defense attorney, he is a professor in the Law and Police Science program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Ian is also a long time Little League Baseball coach for his two teenage sons. During his spare time, he sings and plays keyboard in a local rock band.
Jason Garrett. Having moved to NYC from Oklahoma for a successful Broadway career, Jason is now taking a break from the stage and pursuing a graduate degree in Social Work. He spends his days training and teaching in our signature sign language classes and our creative drama program while providing child care for children of all ages. Jason has tremendous experience teaching and caring for children with special needs. His aunt is an ASL interpreter but Jason first learned sign language as a young child interpreting songs at his church.
Chelsea Chrostowski. A TV actor and teaching artist, Chelsea brings her creativity and extraordinary patience to our families at Baby Fingers. She is passionate about ASL and continues her sign language studies as she teaches our signature classes. Also a nanny, Chelsea has a special place in her heart for babies and young children, which is so clear to the families with whom she works and teaches. Soon to be moving out of state, we hope to launch satellite Baby Fingers classes with Chelsea!
Kim Braun-Cohen. A teacher of ASL as a foreign language, Kim completed her graduate degree at Columbia Teacher’s College. She has taught sign language to babies and toddlers at Baby Fingers, as well as preteens and teens in a private school setting. After taking a break from teaching to spend more time with her two young children, Kim has returned to teaching our signature sign language classes. Also soon to be moving out of state, we hope to launch more satellite Baby Fingers classes with Kim!
In addition to our studio based classes posted on our website (www.mybabyfingers.com/schedule), we offer classes, lessons, music therapy, workshops and party entertainment/edutainment (www.mybabyfingers.com/parties) at your home or neighborhood park. We also provide professional development for educators and enrichment programming for area preschools. If you’re interested in what we offer but you live too far away, take a look at our home study materials (www.mybabyfingers.com/products).
Questions? Lora@mybabyfingers.com