Audition Judges
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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. |
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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. |
Final Competition Judges
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Christopher Costanza
For over three 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, he is an Artist in Residence at Stanford University. A strong proponent of contemporary music, Mr. Costanza works regularly with the world’s most notable composers. As a student, he had the honor of studying Olivier Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time” under the guidance of the composer. His discography includes numerous chamber music and solo recordings on the Nonesuch, EMI/Angel, Naxos, Innova, Albany, Summit, and ArtistShare labels. In 2006, Mr. Costanza 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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Monica Kraft
Monica Kraft retired last June 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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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. |
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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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Dion Lim
Dion Lim is an Emmy Award-winning TV news anchor and reporter at ABC7/KGO-TV in San Francisco and author of the upcoming book AMPLIFY! My Fight For Asian America (Third State Books) to be published September 10th 2024. Dion is passionate about amplifying voices of color and has led the charge worldwide in shedding light on the hate and assaults targeting Asian Americans in the Bay Area. Her work has resonated across the country on ABC News Live, Nightline, World News Now, Good Morning America and 20/20. Her reporting gained the attention of the White House and the Biden Administration invited Dion to attend the very first AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at the Rose Garden in 2022. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and mayor London Breed also awarded Dion with a commendation for her dedication to reporting on discrimination and xenophobia. Dion was also named, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and other prominent AAPI leaders, a 2021 Goldhouse 100 A1 most impactful Asians for storytelling in the midst of the #StopAsianHate movement. Dion lives in San Francisco with her husband and newborn son. |
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Christopher Showerman
Christopher Showerman is best known as the actor that took over the title role in George of The Jungle 2. With over 70 onscreen credits to his name and dozens of live stage credits, most fans are unaware that he is also a writer and producer. He holds a bachelor's degree in music composition from MSU and has had several songs featured in various movies and stage productions. However, one of his favorite roles continues to be the opportunity to participate in the annual FCSN Talent Show and celebrating all of the amazing talent shared here every year! |
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 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. |