Aaron Feinstein (Executive Director, Founder) is an educator, mentor, artist, and believer in children with disabilities. 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, which became the subject of the 2 time Emmy award winning documentary “Autism: The Musical”. 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 New York City and started theater and film programs at The Rebecca School and Celebrate the Children, developing the compassionate, and sensory aware model that would become the Miracle Project New York. 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. Actionplay is his passion. Through Actionplay, Aaron has brought together a wonderful blend of artists, therapists, musicians, and educators who are committed to joining children of all levels and abilities by entering into their world in order to foster greater social and emotional growth.
Gil Tippy, PsyD (Clinical/Education Director) is one of the founders of the Rebecca School and is its Clinical Director. He has evaluated hundreds of children from the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-based perspective, having been mentored by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, the late creator of the DIR model. He is the author of “Respecting Autism” along with Dr. Greenspan (Vantage Press, 2011). He is actively involved with creating museum programs for children on the Autism Spectrum, and in this capacity is the Clinical Director of Actionplay. Dr. Tippy also has a large clinical practice in Oyster Bay, New York. He has two children and lives on Long Island with his wife and daughter.