Detroit's Got Talent

Leadership Team

WANDA COATES
Wanda Fountain Coates is the Founder and Executive Director of Special Touch Learning Center, Inc. She is the visionary behind the Detroit's Got Talent Youth Showcase, and The Mary J. Faulkner School of Fine Arts Academy K-8 Program. As a native of Detroit, a published author and graduate of Denby High School, Wayne State University and Central Michigan University, she is an advocate for children and families with over 20 years of educational experience. www.specialtouchlearningcenter.com

TERRANCE PALMER
Terrance Palmer is an internationally renowned musician whose resume includes Grammy, Stellar, Dove and Soul Train Music awards. Early in his career he served as bassist for nearly every major Gospel recording artists. More recently Palmer has produced his own Jazz & Gospel Jazz recordings, touring with his own band. He serves as music director for the Detroit’s Got Talent initiative. www.terrancepalmer.com

JUDGES BIOS

Debra White-Hunt
Debra White-Hunt, native Detroiter, is the artistic director of Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy and Companies where she and her husband Bruce Hunt, executive director co-founded this vibrant ‘gem,’ now in its 28th season. Ms. White-Hunt has dance and choreographed throughout the USA and the world: including Capetown, South Africa, Australia, Bermuda, Costa Rica to name a few. She received a B.A. from Michigan State University and a M.Ed. from Wayne State University. She received and accepted dance scholarships in New York from Alvin Ailey and Dance Theater of Harlem. She taught dance 20+ years in the Detroit Public System. She has received numerous national, state and local awards for her accomplishments in dance.

Nate Harasim
Nate Harasim is a 2012 Grammy -nominated artist, Record Producer - Trippin Out Records / Sony BMG artist. Harasim is a veteran performing and recording artist who continuously strives to bring new dimension and flair to his music --an effort that earned him a number six position on the 2011 SmoothJazz.com Year End Top 50 Chart. Since his 2007 debut release entitled “Next In Line,” Harasim has released three additional albums in subsequent years leading to a recording contract with powerhouse jazz label Trippin N Rhythm Records.

Jiana Hunter
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jiana's early memories of singing occurred with her mother, an accomplished vocalist, learning to harmonize at four years of age. Working as a solo artist and background vocalist has afforded Jiana Hunter noteworthy opportunities to perform in various genres of music in the Detroit area and abroad. An accomplished songwriter and arranger, Jiana's original songs and collaborations will appear on her upcoming release entitled, “For You.”

Jodie Svagr
Jodie Svagr is a professional dancer who has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years. Her current focus is on dance and education. Teaching 11-18 classes per week for 130 students, and performing at more than 15 shows during the past 9 months, Jodie is very busy. Her opinion draws great amounts of respect, and her feedback comes from years of experience.

Paul Allen
Paul "pda" Allen is one-third of the trio PAJAM, a music production company founded by himself, Walter Kearney & J Moss. Growing up in the church, he was playing the percussion and drums for the youth choir by the time he was four years old. He moved on to piano and fell in love. PAJAM’s discography has come to include (just to name a few) celebrities such as, Destiny's Child, N'Sync, the Backstreet Boys, Kelly Price, Dru Hill, Boyz II Men, Kierra "Ki-Ki" Sheard, Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker and a host of many others.

Instructors & Coaches


Demetrius Nabors Instrumental Division	Alvin Waddles Vocal Division	Shondra Nebko Dance Division

Khary Frazier Rap Division	Nick Speed Rap Division	Benito Vasquez Dance Division