Audition Judges
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Jody Wilfong
Jody received her Master's and Bachelor's of Music in music therapy from Michigan State University, and is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. Jody currently provides music therapy to children and adults with varying diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments. Experience in clinical music therapy work includes neuro-rehabilitation, emphasizing Neurologic Music Therapy, with which she published her thesis entitled “The effects of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation [RAS] on gait training for persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.” Jody is also an active presenter of music therapy in-services and workshops nationwide. Her research interests include Psychoneuroimmunology and music imagery, palliative pain care management with music, and the effects of expressive art forms on the body’s immune system. |
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YiShan 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. |
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Javier Zaldivar
Mr. 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. |
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Lisa Kleinbub Lisa Kleinbub is the Executive Director of Regional Center of the East Bay. Prior to assuming this position in July 2017, Lisa was the Director of Health and Behavioral Services and a Clinical Nurse Specialist at RCEB. She also led RCEB’s diversity and equity efforts. Lisa is committed to building partnerships with the people we serve, their families, staff, providers and the larger community so that individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities can have satisfying lives in inclusive communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University and a Master’s degree in Nursing from San Francisco State University. Lisa has also worked as an independent living skills instructor, a vocational trainer, and a direct service professional. A native of Flushing, NY, she has considered California and specifically the East Bay, home for over 30 years. |
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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. |
Final Competition Judges
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Clio Tilton
Violist Clio Tilton delights in the diversity and excitement in her career. Seeking to share her gifts both through teaching and performing, she can be heard around the Bay Area in a wide range of groups: music ensembles, symphony orchestras, and chamber groups. Clio performs regularly with the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Contemporary Players, Oakland Symphony, and American Bach Soloists as well as other Bay Area orchestras. Sought after as a chamber musician, Clio has performed with the Friction Quartet, Classical Revolution, and is a founding member of the Chamber Music Society of San Francisco. She has recorded for Time Warner with the Camerata de Lausanne, and has also been heard in recordings with Shajarian, Geographer, and Meklit. After earning her master's at Juilliard, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study orchestral and baroque performance in Switzerland. Chamber music is a central part of Clio's musical pursuits. During her time at Juilliard she was a member of the award-winning Calla Quartet. Most recently, she has shared chamber music with audiences on a deeply personal level through her work with the Chamber Music Society of San Francisco. As a teacher, Clio has worked with Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and SF Youth Orchestra leading sectionals, been a faculty member at Presto PACO and PACO summer programs, and teaches a private studio in San Francisco of violinists and violists of all ages. |
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Leinani Walter
Leinani Walter is the Chief Equity Officer at the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Prior to her appointment, she was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Director of Service Access and Equity. In her current role, she oversees the Service Access and Equity Division to advance equity and culturally competent services throughout the developmental services system. She supports the Developmental Services Task Force (DSTF) Service Access & Equity Work Group, coordinates the African American Focus Group, represents DDS in its Community of Practice with federal partners, oversees the management of the Service Access and Equity Grant Program and the Community Navigator Program, and coordinates the Language Access and Culture initiative. Prior to her appointment at DDS, Ms. Walter was the Director of Program Operations for the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) working in the areas of housing, employment, quality assurance, and case management. For 18 years, she served as a Clients’ Rights Advocate II at Disability Rights California (DRC), Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy (OCRA). She represented individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in regional center, public benefits, civil rights, and special education cases. Ms. Walter has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from California State University Long Beach and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Connecticut School of Law. She is a Native Hawaiian and the sister of an individual served in the regional center system. |
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Stephen Prutsman
Active as classical, world and jazz pianist, composer and festival curator, Stephen Prutsman explores and seeks common ground in music of all cultures and languages. In the 1990’s, Stephen was a medal winner at the Tchaikovsky of Moscow and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Piano Competitions, and has since performed concertos worldwide with leading orchestras and as a soloist. For several years he was Artistic Partner with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Cartagena International Music Festival. As a composer his music has been performed throughout the world by artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Tom Waits and the Kronos Quartet. Passionate for causes related to the needs of the developmentally disabled, in addition to being on five Bay Area autism boards, Stephen cofounded with his wife the non-profit organization “Autism Fun Bay Area” which creates artistic and recreational environments for people on the autism spectrum and their families. These “Azure” events occur throughout the bay area and are taking place in other cities in North America. |
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Christopher Showerman
Christopher Showerman is an American actor and producer who is best known for his role as George in George of the Jungle 2. Chris was born and raised in Michigan where he started his acting career at Michigan State University as a music major. He has appeared in films like Sea of Fear, Idol, Live Fast, Die Young, Complacent, and Big Game. On television, he has appeared on Jack of All Trades, The OC, CSI Miami, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and held a recurring role on Supergirl. On his acting career, he has said, “I moved to Los Angeles to dive into the deep end of the talent pool. Once in California, I took any and every job to pay the rent, including working at the world famous Gold’s Gym in Venice and parading as a giant pink ball for a supermarket that delivers. I continued to take acting classes and occasionally book small roles in small movies or local plays...Yes, I’m the luckiest kid in the world, but not because of my career or the money I have made and lost. My fulfillment comes from loving what I get to do and loving those that support me in doing what I love. |
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Amanda del Castillo
Amanda del Castillo is an Emmy Award winning reporter for ABC7 News. She has spent the last decade traveling the country and telling impactful stories from Wyoming to Texas, and Denver back to the Bay Area. She believes there's always a story to tell, interviewing people suffering from the worst of the pandemic to 49ers fans cheering on their team at Super Bowl 54 in Miami, and everything in between. She values the power of communication and recognizes the weight our words carry. Amanda graduated from San Jose State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communications in December 2012. As a San Francisco native, she is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area with her husband and one-year-old son, and is honored to be telling stories about the place she calls home. |
Meet the Emcee
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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 with the exception of last year when he was one of the judges. 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 running, spending time with his family and supporting his friends at FCSN. |