2025 Audition Judges
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Mike Keeley
Mike Keeley is the Director of Consumer Services at San Andreas Regional Center. He has worked at San Andreas Regional Center for 29 years, supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families create a life that supports their dream of the future and being a meaningful part of our community. Prior to working at San Andreas, Mike worked as a behavioral consultant, a residential manager, and a volunteer for Best Buddies and Special Olympics. Mike has attended the Special Needs Got Talent performances since they began, and is excited to see all the talent that this year brings to the stage. |
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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. |
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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. |
2025 Final Competition Judges
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Christopher Costanza
For nearly four decades cellist Christopher Costanza has enjoyed a varied and exciting career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. A winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and a recipient of a prestigious Solo Recitalists Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mr. Costanza has performed worldwide to critical acclaim. He joined the St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ) in 2003, and tours and records extensively with that ensemble, performing over 100 concerts annually throughout the world. As a member of the SLSQ, Mr. Costanza is an Artist in Residence at Stanford University where he teaches cello and chamber music, serves as the Associate Director of Music for the Stanford Medical Humanities and Arts program, and performs and gives lectures across campus. A strong proponent of contemporary music, he works regularly with the world’s most notable composers. Mr. Costanza’s discography includes numerous chamber music and solo recordings on the Nonesuch, EMI/Angel, Naxos, Innova, Albany, Summit, and ArtistShare labels. In 2006, he received a Grammy nomination for his recording of major chamber works for winds and strings by Mozart. Additionally, several St. Lawrence String Quartet recordings on EMI have also been nominated for Juno awards. |
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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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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. |
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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 is excited to be teaching the Tri-City Band Corps Special Needs Winter Percussion group this season. 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. |
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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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Xiaohua Song
Song Xiaohua, dramatic mezzo-soprano, vocal teacher, and opera singer, graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music. With over 20 years of teaching, she has taught at Liaoning Normal University and Zhejiang Media College. She won first place at the California International Vocal Competition and other major awards. She has performed roles like Carmen and Azucena. Now in the Bay Area, she founded the “Song of Flowers” Vocal Art Center and “Hand in Hand” Opera Society, directing acclaimed concerts. She is a member of the Northern California Chinese Teachers Association, American Teachers Association, and CLAA Opera Association board. |
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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 Emcee
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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. |