Staff
Executive Staff
Elaine Hall
Founder & President
Elaine Hall “Coach E! , referenced by The New York Times as “the child whisperer” was a top Hollywood children’s acting coach whose life changed dramatically after her son Neal, adopted from a Russian orphanage, was diagnosed with autism. When traditional therapies did not work for him, she sought the esteemed Dr. Stanley Greenspan who encouraged her to rally actors and other creative people to join his world and Neal slowly emerged out of his isolation.
She then developed The Seven Keys to Unlock Autism and used these methods to train staff and volunteers and to create The Miracle Project, a theatre and film program for children of all abilities, profiled in the Emmy Award HBO documentary, AUTISM: The Musical. She has appeared on CNN, CBS News, Oprah Radio and featured in The LA Times, New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Elaine directs the Vista Inspire Program: an arts enrichment and a bar/bat mitzvah program for children and teens with autism at Vista Del Mar in Los Angeles.
She is a keynote speaker and workshop leader at conferences throughout the US and Canada, and is a regular Huffington Post blogger. Her book, Now I See the Moon: a mother, a son, a miracle was chosen for World Autism Awareness Day at The United Nations where she has spoken several times. Elaine Hall has received honors from Autism Speaks, Autism Society of Los Angeles, The Mayor of Los Angeles, Senator Fran Pavley, Villa Esperanza, Areva Martin’s Special Needs Network, Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation, Etta Israel and others. She co-produced and hosts the DVD series: Unlocking Autism for medical professionals and first providers and inspired the CD: Fly which pairs children with autism and celebrity artists such as Jack Black, Stephen Stills, and Chaka Khan. Her latest book , co-authored with Diane Isaacs, Seven Keys to Unlock Autism: Creating Miracles In The Classroom was released November 2011 and has already received critical acclaim.
Elaine and her team are now launching The Miracle Project nationally with locations in West Los Angeles at Vista Del Mar, and in the Valley at The Help Group. The first satellite is The Miracle Project of New York City at the 92nd Street Y which started Fall 2011. She is available for workshops, speaking engagements, to emcee events, phone consultations, trainings, and is a media personality. Elaine lives in Los Angeles with the two loves of her life, her teenage son, Neal and her husband, Jeff Frymer, a play therapist.
Diane Isaacs
Co-Founder & Creative Director
Diane is a Film & Television Producer with over 20 years of industry experience. As President of Green Moon Productions, a film company she co-founded with Antonio Banderas, Diane produced the Emmy-nominated HBO historical drama “And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself”, “Imagining Argentina” with Academy-Award winner Emma Thompson, and Antonio Banderas directorial debut in “Crazy In Alabama” among many others.
Diane was first introduced to Elaine when her son Wyatt became a part of The Miracle Project’s 2nd production. Her experience in content development, writing, production, music, film, marketing and overall producing was a perfect fit to fulfill The Miracle Project’s diverse platforms. Diane is proud to have produced the benefit album FLY: INTO AUTISM bringing together the celebrity talents of CHAKA KHAN, JACK BLACK, STEPHEN STILLS, HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE, KENNY ‘BABYFACE” EDMONDS, DAVID LAWRENCE (High School Musical, composer), TISHA CAMPBELL-MARTIN, TAYLOR PARKS and KYRA SEDGWICK to name a few along with the magical talents of children with autism.
She also produced, directed and edited the 7 DVD series UNLOCKING THE WORLD OF AUTISM 7 KEYS TO BECOMING MIRACLE MINDED, a practical program directed at the medical and dental professional. She is co-authoring with Elaine, “7 KEYS TO UNLOCK AUTISM” for classroom teachers and parents and will produce and direct the DVD series of the same name. Elaine and Diane are the co- founders of MIRACLES 360 – a holistic approach and program for the entire family with autism.
DIANE is a world-class athlete, competing in numerous IRONMAN competitions. She is also a certified Yoga teacher and believes in the balance of cardio strength and flexibility. She is a nutritionist and raw vegan expert which she incorporates in the whole mind body awareness approach to living and working with autism.
Her experience as a mother of a son with autism continues to direct her heart.
Ryan Berman
Director of Operations & Program Director, LA
Ryan Berman is a rising star in the autism community, providing a variety of services, skills and resources to families and children impacted by autism. Working closely with families, he provides comprehensive in-home consultations and individualized treatment plans tailored to each familys needs and goals. Ryan is a Master Teacher at The Miracle Project and has trained professionals and volunteers on the Seven Keys to Unlock Autism. Ryan applies his training in DIR/Floortime and Facilitated Communication when working with children and teens with autism. He develops curriculum and serves as an Educational Consultant for a private Los Angeles High School for students who type to communicate. Ryan has a special relationship with Vista Del Mars Inspire Program (V.I.P.) in Los Angeles where he serves as an instructor for the renowned Nes Gadol Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program for children and teens with special needs. Ryan also holds a Masters degree in Social Work with a concentration in Children, Youth, Women and Families.
Theater Staff
Amanda Deming
Theatre Instructor, LA
Amanda Deming was born and raised in Warren Pennsylvania and attended Edinoboro University as a Musical Theatre Major. Amanda is an Actress, an amazing singer, and a creative Musician. She is absolutely thrilled to be implementing her skills as the Theatre Director on the staff of The Miracle Project. Amanda started out as a volunteer and spent a year learning about the imaginative and successfull approach Elaine Hall demonstrates while working with children with special needs. She is so excited to be a part of such an amazing program. Besides her work with The Miracle Project, Amanda is a certified Massage Therapist, Raw Food Chef, Reiki Healer, and a Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She owns her own company called Inside Out Mobile Spa, catering to the greater Los Angeles Area, providing therapeutic bodywork, nutrition, and yoga. Her intuitive approach to healing is great addition to working with people with autism and other special needs.
Aaron Feinstein
National Development Director of The Miracle Project, and Director and Founder of the Miracle Project NY
Aaron Feinstein is an educator, mentor, therapist, and believer in advocating for children with special needs. As a child, Aaron struggled with learning disabilities and found that theater and music programs offered an accepting environment to connect him socially and academically with his peers. In 2004 while living in Los Angeles, Aaron met Elaine Hall, who encouraged Aaron to bring his passion and talents in theater and music to the special needs community. Aaron was co-director with Elaine of the pilot Miracle Project after-school program, as well as contributing an original musical performance “GOLIATH!” The following year, Aaron was the director and co-writer of the Miracle Project Musical Bubbe, Zeyde, Tell me a Story, in which he also co-wrote the song “Nosh.” During this time, Aaron also worked as a Developmental interventionist under the guidance of Sharon Lowery and Danakae Bonahoom at SmartStart Developmental Learning Center. Danakae inspired Aaron to work from his heart and to “follow the child’s need®,” which had a profound impact on Aaron’s ability to see the desire to communicate in the interactions of all children. Aaron is a multi-talented artist, and the arts became his way to help children with special needs to develop their own unique voice. In 2006, Aaron moved to Brooklyn, Ny and started theater and film programs at special needs schools including The Rebecca School in Manhattan and Celebrate the Children in New Jersey. In 2009-2010, Aaron brought the Miracle Project to the Rebecca School in Manhattan under his direction. Aaron is also an accomplished director and musician and has directed, performed and lectured nationally and internationally, as well as receiving an MFA in theatre directing form UCLA.
Karen Howard
Music Therapist, LA
Karen is a music therapist, composer and private piano instructor with over 25 years of experience, is co‐founder of M.E.T.A., Music and Expressive Therapy Associates. She has been with The Miracle Project since its inception in 2004 and was part of the Emmy award‐winning HBO documentary AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, which featured her song Everyday Miracles. Karen recently traveled to India as co‐facilitator for The Miracle Project’s international trainings in Madurai and Calcutta. Karen holds degrees in Music Therapy, Piano Performance, Psychology, a California Teaching Credential, and certification as an Expressive Arts Practitioner. Passionate about bringing light and joy into the lives of others, Karen is dedicated to her work empowering children of all abilities and connecting through acting, song and dance in an environment of love, laughter and acceptance.
Gabriel Lit
Music Therapist, NY
Gabriel Lit is a board‐certified music therapist hailing from Austin, Texas. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Composition from the University of North Texas and his Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from New York University. Gabriel has worked with children with special needs for many years as an aide, camp counselor, music teacher, and now as a Music Therapist. Having worked for Heartsong, Inc., the Creative Music Therapy Studio, the Miracle Project NY, and as a staff therapist at Arts for Healing in New Canaan, CT, he has experience meeting a wide range of needs. A performing musician, Gabriel plays as much music as he can.
Sherri Saget
Marriage & Family Therapist, LA
Sherri holds a Masters degree in Psychology from Antioch University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She trained at Vista Del Mar’s Julia Singer Center, both in the Therapeutic School and in the Family Therapy program. Sherri’s love for children, art and theatre, inspired her to volunteer her time with the Miracle Project in 2010, with a focus on expanding the visual expression elements of the program. Committing her energy each week, Sherri has learned how the consistent gathering of a group for the purpose of having fun together, in an environment of trust and acceptance, becomes itself a miraculous process. In a world where more and more is virtual, the Miracle Project provides a unique community, where we all choose to share ourselves and our gifts, staff and children alike.
Jason Weissbrod
Theater Director, LA
Jason Weissbrod was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a Director, Actor, Producer, Writer & Editor. Several years ago, he met Elaine Hall as a volunteer for the Miracle Project and after his first year, she asked him to join the staff. Since then he has co‐ directed and written over 6 original plays with the Miracle Project. He has learned so much from all of these amazing children, teens and adults who are a part of this program. He has such a blast getting to hang out with them and create! Besides his work with the Miracle Project, Jason has two production companies, “Three guys in a Tub” and “Tall Giraffe” that have produced short films, music videos, commercials, web‐series, etc. You can find more out about Jason on his website jweissbrod.tumblr.com.
Katiana Zimmerman
Musical Director, LA
Katiana Zimmerman is a two-time ASCAP award-winning composer, educator, writer, speaker and singer. She is committed to making a difference in the lives of families and children, teens, and young adults with special needs. Katiana is an instructor for both Miracle Project classes and instructor trainings and seminars. She is also the music director and instructor for the Vista Del Mar’s Vista Inspire Program and Miracle Theatre, a program based on the principles of The Miracle Project. Katiana also directs the Etta Israel Foundation’s summer music and drama program for teens with special needs.
Katiana envisioned and created SONGCRAFT (Songwriting and Creative Recording Arts For Teens), an innovative songwriting and recording arts workshop for teens and young adults with special needs. SONGCRAFT incorporates journaling, group sharing, collaboration, music appreciation, theory, songwriting techniques and Garage Band, empowering teens to transform their hopes, dreams, and challenges into song. The workshop culminates with the production of original CDs and mp3 downloads. SONGCRAFT boosts self-esteem and self-confidence, while nurturing creativity and self-expression. Katiana has written over a dozen musicals, including A Time Traveler’s Tale, the subject of the Emmy award-winning HBO documentary AUTISM: THE MUSICAL.
Katiana has performed her music with the Miracle Project at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Week, the USAAA International Conference, Autism Speaks’ Acts of Love at the Geffen Theatre, TACA’s Annual Picnic, the Autism Society of America, for the HollyRod foundation with Rickey Minor and the American Idol band, Sony Studios, and at Paramount Studios for HBO. Her music and work with The Miracle Project have been featured on CNN, HBO, CBS: The Early Show, KNBC, KCBS, KTTV, the New York Times and Clearchannel. Katiana’s songs are also featured on the album FLY: Into the World of Autism, showcasing the talents of young performers on the spectrum with artists Jack Black, Stephen Stills, Chaka Khan and High School Musical composer David Lawrence.
A gifted vocalist, Katiana is Cantor-in-residence for Vista del Mar’s Jewish holidays and services and Nes Gadol, a Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for children and teens with special needs. As a classical singer, she has performed at Davies Hall, San Francisco, as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, the Aspen Music Festival, and in venues and festivals throughout Europe and Israel. Katiana holds a Masters degree in music and literature from the Manhattan School of Music and a B.M. from the Eastman School of Music with studies in psychology at the University of Rochester. Additional studies include the University of Vienna, Austria, NYU and the San Francisco Conservatory. Please visit her blog at www.katianamusic.com.
