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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Francisco Valenzuela
Francisco Valenzuela has been working as the manager of Government Affairs & Community Relations at San Andreas Regional Center for the past 23 years. Prior to San Andreas, he worked as a Congressional Aid to Congresswoman Zoe Logfren within her District Office located in San Jose, California. Francisco has over 30 years of Public Service experience working with federal, state, and local municipalities as well as community based organizations, K-12 schools, and various after school programs. He completed his graduate studies and received his Bachelors of Science Degree from San Jose State University. |
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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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Ryan Chen
Ryan Chen is a concert violinist and a renowned violin instructor. He received his Master of Music Diploma in Violin Performance from the Rueil-Malmaison National Conservatory in Paris. During his studies there, he gave many solo performances and chamber music with the Raspail String quartet. Immediately upon his return to Taiwan, Ryan Chen was appointed Concertmaster of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in the United States, Taiwan, Russia, China and Europe. He has also collaborated with many orchestras as a soloist, including the Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Taipei Chamber Orchestra and Chinese Culture University Orchestra. Ryan was the Music Director for numerous Bay Area concerts. He is also the conductor of Chinese Music Teacher Associate Northern California, and the founder and director of SoundPost Youth Chamber Orchestra. |
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Lauren Libero
Dr. Lauren Libero is the Autism Specialist at the CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Prior to working at DDS, Lauren was a University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow engaged in developmental neuroscience research on autism at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Lauren is committed to developing and implementing effective, quality, and innovative services and supports for people with developmental disabilities statewide. She also enjoys serving the community through volunteer work, including equestrian programs for disabled athletes, after school programs, and organizing a social support group for women on the autism spectrum in Sacramento. |
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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. |
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Wilheimina (Mina) Li
Mina Li is the Public Service Director, Producer and Host of TV talk shows, Great Family, and Business & Lifestyle at KTSF. She works with non-profit organizations and government agents in producing Public Service Announcements, telethons, and representing KTSF at events. Mina has been serving on various non-profit organizations. To name a few, she currently serves as Vice President for Gum Moon Women’s Residence. Mina also serves on Chinese Community Health Resource Center, and American Heart Association’s Chinese Community Cardiac Council as Board Member. Mina was the President of Northern California Chinese Media Association from 2011 to 2012. In 2010, Mina was honored by the Chinese Consolidated Women’s Association and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association as an Outstanding Chinese American of the Year. She has also emceed various community and fundraising events such as Miss Chinatown USA, Miss Teen Chinatown Scholarship Charity Gala, and US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation. |
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. |