We have developed a gesture recognition system, based on Hidden Markov Models, which can interactively recognize gestures and perform online learning of new gestures. In addition, it is able to update its model of a gesture iteratively with each example it recognizes. This system has demonstrated reliable recognition of 14 different gestures after only one or two examples of each. The system is currently interfaced to a Cyberglove for use in recognition of gestures from the sign language alphabet. The system is being implemented as part of an interactive interface for robot teleoperation and programming by example.