2026 Audition Judges
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Amy Kuo
Amy (Ying-Chen) Kuo, a Taiwanese pianist, has performed across the United States, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and Taiwan. She holds a Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, where she studied with Dr. David Kalhous, and a Master of Music degree from San José State University, studying with Dr. Gwendolyn Mok. Both degrees were completed with full scholarships and graduate assistantships. As an active soloist and educator in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kuo performs regularly in recitals and chamber concerts while maintaining an established teaching studio. |
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Rebecca (Becky) Nanyonjo
Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo brings nearly 25 years of public health leadership focused on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for diverse communities, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most recently, she served as Director of Public Health for Merced County, overseeing public health, EMS, medical clinics, refugee services, environmental health, and women and children’s programs. Previously, she was the first Public Health Director and later Chief Deputy Director for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, with oversight of public health and Federally Qualified Health Clinics focused on community health improvement. Earlier in her career, Dr. Nanyonjo held leadership roles with the San Bernardino County Department of Health and served as Senior Public Health Director for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruises Australia, consulting with Ministries of Health worldwide. She has also served in leadership roles with the San Joaquin Valley Public Health Consortium, Stanislaus Health Foundation, and other community organizations. Dr. Nanyonjo holds a Doctorate in Public Health, dual Master of Public Health degrees from Loma Linda University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from UC Riverside. As Executive Director, she supports RCEB’s strategic vision for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. |
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Gabriel Rogin
Gabriel Rogin has worked with people with developmental disabilities and their families for over 25 years and has consistently achieved meaningful outcomes on both the individual and system levels. Gabriel is committed to the principles of self-determination and has dedicated his career to making the service system more responsive, efficient and effective. He is currently the Executive Director of North Bay Regional Center, providing support for individuals and families in Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Deputy Director for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, leading the Council’s advocacy, capacity building and systemic reform efforts throughout the state. He has served as a direct support professional, case manager, and in multiple other management positions. Gabriel holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay. |
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Javier Zaldivar
Javier Zaldivar is a native Californian who was born and raised in the Silicon Valley. He is the Executive Director of San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) and has worked for the past 18 years in various functions, including; Director of Consumer Services South (2011); District Manager for the South Santa Clara and San Benito Counties (2006); District Manager of the Transition Unit (2002). He also served as a service coordinator serving adult individuals (2006). During his tenure, he has had the opportunity to work with every age group, including early start and intake. He has also managed several technical contracts related to state and federal reimbursements. Mr. Zaldivar has also served as a primary manager of the regional center electronic data base as well as coordinator for staff development. He continues to work in his role of Executive Director with many community partners which help the individuals with developmental disabilities lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. |
2026 Final Competition Judges
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Michi A. Gates, Ph.D
Michi Gates has dedicated herself to the field of developmental services for the past 28 years. She began her career as a Service Coordinator at North Bay Regional Center in Napa, Solano, and Sonoma Counties. Over her 21 years working there she served in several different positions culminating in the position of Associate Executive Director. In 2018, she became the Executive Director of Kern Regional Center in Kern, Mono, and Inyo Counties. Working to fulfill the intent of the Lanterman Act, increasing self-direction, community integration and access to supports and services that empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families is her focus. In 2024, she became the Chief Deputy Director of Program Services at the California Department of Developmental Disabilities where she can engage with statewide policy issues that sustain and improve California’s developmental services system. Michi lives in the wonderful city of Bakersfield with her husband. |
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Monica Kraft
Monica Kraft retired from Mission San Jose High School in Fremont where she was the Director of Instrumental Music. She taught for 35 years at several schools in the Fremont Unified School District at the high school and elementary levels. At MSJHS, Ms. Kraft taught three Concert Bands, The Mission Jazz Band, the Marching Warrior Band, and the Orchestra. She has taught the Tri-City Band Corps Special Needs Winter Percussion program. Ms. Kraft is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist and has conducted more than 30 musical productions in high schools. The Mission San Jose High School Bands and Orchestra consistently earned Superior ratings at California Music Educator Association and Northern California Band Association Concert festivals. With the Mission San Jose High School Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Orchestra, Ms. Kraft has conducted around the world in festivals in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Bendigo and Sydney, Australia, London, England, Paris, France; and in Rome, Italy. She was named Teacher of the Year twice at Mission San Jose High School and the Northern California Band Association Band Director of the Year in 2018. Natasha Kung
Dr. Natasha Wanyi Kung is an internationally active opera singer and music educator. She has taught at Challenger, Diocese schools, and CMSA in the Bay Area and has performed widely in leading operatic roles including Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Nedda (I Pagliacci), Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), Fiordiligi (Così Fan Tutte), and Violetta (La Traviata). Opera Director Roger Brunet has praised her as “an emerging star… a soprano with a unique voice.” Natasha holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Music degree from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. In 2005, she received a scholarship from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), USA. From 2008 to 2010, she served as Assistant Professor and Opera Director at NCYU and Southwest University, directing Candide and The Sound of Music and leading concert tours of Mozart’s Concert Arias with the NCYU Orchestra. Since 2015, her recording and theater projects have been sponsored by Google Art Institute. She has performed with Verismo Opera and appeared in Madama Butterfly (2019) and Il Trovatore (2022). Dr. Kung currently serves as Music Director at First Lutheran Church. |
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Mimi Kwan
Mimi Kwan is Vice-President of Community Engagement at ABC7 (KGO-TV), where she manages community outreach initiatives and produces projects that focus on and celebrate our Bay Area's rich cultural diversity. She started at ABC7 in 1997 and has worked in various capacities in the Public Affairs, Programming, and News Department. She has received three Emmy awards for Community Excellence and community affairs programs, Beyond the Headlines and Profile of Excellence. Her work in the community has been honored by several organizations, including the Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC) with the Monarch Award. A daughter of immigrants and mom of two, she believes in creating opportunities that lead to a more equitable landscape for our next generation. |
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YiShan (Jasmine) Yang
YiShan Yang began her violin studies at the age of six in pursuit of becoming a concert violinist. Upon graduating National Taiwan Normal University, Ms. Yang joined the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra and performed for audiences throughout Taiwan and around the world as a member of the symphony, a chamber musician, and soloist. Since relocating to the United States, Ms. Yang has continued teaching and performing with the goal of bringing joy and hope to people through the power of music. She currently serves as the President of Artch Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to harnessing the study and performance of the musical arts to connect musicians with communities in northern California. Gino (Zhengqian Yu)
Gino (Zhengqian Yu) is an award-winning vocal educator, performer, and competition judge who studied songwriting at Berklee College of Music and advanced certification in audio production. As a seasoned instructor with years of private coaching and adult group lessons, his students span ages 3 to 70+, emphasizing technical precision and artistic expression. His adjudication experience spans vocal competitions across the Bay, and he’s always eager to discover more passionate musicians. |
Meet the Emcees
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Matt Keller
Matt Keller is a familiar face for FCSN. He was the emcee of the very first FCSN Special Needs Got Talent (now known as Special Needs Talent Showcase) in 2015. He has returned every single year since then as emcee except the one year he was a judge. In 2017, Matt also started emceeing for FCSN Gala as well. His wonderful sense of humor and personality won the audience over and kept them thoroughly entertained. Matt is currently the Media and Public Relations Supervisor at Valley Water. Before that, he was an anchor and reporter for more than 20 years. Matt won two Emmy awards and Edward R. Murrow award. He was most recently a reporter and fill-in anchor for ABC7 New here in the Bay Area. During his time off, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, walking his dog, Chance, and supporting his friends at FCSN. Christopher Showerman
Christopher Showerman is best known for his role as George in the 2003 sequel George of the Jungle 2. Showerman grew up in rural Michigan where he studied and taught music until moving to Los Angeles in the late 90’s. He has acted in over 70 TV and feature projects as well as live theater. Some of his credits include American Housewife, Truth Be Told, Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D, Scorpion, Supergirl, CSI Miami, and the Saturn Award winning independent film Encounter. His directorial debut, Radio America, is a music drama for which he also wrote the script and songs. Showerman is also passionate about fitness, for which he has been featured in several print and online articles. |