Social Work’s Got Talent, an annual talent show tradition at UT Social Work, celebrated its 2026 edition on Friday, April 10, with a dozen acts comprised of student, faculty and staff performers.
Following a cold open by clinical professor Sarah Sloan, who served as a co-emcee for the night with longtime Austin radio host Andy Langer, performers came on stage in Walter Webb Hall to perform for an audience of more than 130. The acts ranged from singers to instrument performances to poetry to music groups.
For the first time in the history of Social Work’s Got Talent, contestants agreed to compete for a title, with one winner being selected by an all-student jury panel. Mayan Herman, a clinical assistant professor, was named as the winner of the evening for her original song “The Gratitude Journal,” an original song which she performed on the piano while singing.
A full list of recorded performances, including Herman’s original song, can be found here. The full list of performers and performances is below:
The JAMBS (Dean Allan Cole, Meredith Cole, Jason Meeker, Baker Hamilton, Shawn Lein) – Band cover of “I Put A Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Dylan Robinson – Singing and acoustic guitar for original song “Mother of Our Sons”
Sarahi Villalobos – Singing cover of “Mañana De Carnaval” by Luis Miguel
Ryan Wang – Singing cover of “I Like You” by G.E.M.
María Paula Yavar Calderon – Poetry Reading
Fabiola Amaya – Poetry Reading
Mayan Herman – Singing and piano for original song “The Gratitude Journal”
Sarah Sloan & Travis Foster – Singing and guitar cover of “Late Night Grande Hotel” by Nanci Griffith
Robert Sebesta – Singing and guitar cover of “The Rainbow Connection” by Kermit the Frog
Michael Romero – Interactive audience composing for cover of “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield
Erin Cantrell & Terrie Torres (with accompaniment by Devin Deleon) – Duet cover of “Golden” by K-Pop Demon Hunters
The JAMBS – Cover of “Alive” by Pearl Jam
Dean Allan Cole (with accompaniment by Baker Hamilton and Jason Meeker) – Singing for original song “Love Endures”