Jury

AGASSI TOPCHIAN worked as a reporter for “Новый Взгляд” (New Outlook) Moscow-based weekly published by Evgeniy Dodolev, a well-known Russian publicist and journalist. Agassi Topchian was promoted by Mr. Dodolev to the position of Editor-in-Chief and after moving to the United Stated in 1993, he established a presence of The New Outlook International publication in Los Angeles. He represented “ALLA” magazine (published by Alla Pugacheva ); co-published and edited The West Hollywood Tribune biweekly publication. His articles and interviews were published in dozens of publications in the United States and Russia. From 2000 to 2004 Agassi Topchian served as a member of the Russian Advisory Board in the City of West Hollywood. In 2001, he became the Director of the
Russian Style annual cultural festival in West Hollywood. In 2004, Agassi Topchian was appointed as a City Commissioner (Rent Stabilization Commission) by Honorable Abbe Land, Mayor-Pro-Temp of the City of West Hollywood.

FIRANGIZ RAGIMBEKOVA was born in Baku – the most international city of of the former USSR. She was raised in a musical family where the oldest sister played the piano; her older brother played the guitar and little Firangiz was the soloist. Her parents loved music and always supported Firangiz’s passion and desire for becoming a professional singer. At the first competition for the best national vocalist for the Republic of Azerbaijan, the youthful 15 year-old Firangiz won first place and was recognized by the legendary Rashid Beybutov who led her to the path of professionalism. Firangiz went on to work in the Azerbaijan Philharmonic and AzConcert, while continuing to attend school at the Institute of the Performing Arts of M. Aliyev. In 1983 Firangoz received an award after participating in a All Union competition in Moscow. She performed in the most prestigious forums across the world and in the republic of the former USSR.
Her band, Ashugi and Polad Bul-Bul Ogli played a big role in her artistic career. Those were years of intense education in art, music and professionalism. In 1986, Firangiz represented her native country in the first international competition in Yurmala, Latvia, where she received a prize for an outstanding performance of a national folk song in its contemporary interpretation.
From 1988 to 1993, Firangiz was a soloist in the Big Band Orchestra of Azerbaijan Television and Radio under the management of Rafik Babayev. During these years, Firangiz toured across the former USSR, shot countless music videos and television shows. In 1992 Firangiz once again represented her native country as a guest star at the International Festival Voice of Asia. In the same year she debuted in a feature film the Engagement Ring directed by Ramiz Azizbeyli where she played an outstanding main role of Seda.
In 1993 Firangiz immigrated to U.S. with her daughter Raisa, and continues her successful career in Los Angeles. In 1999 she joined her destiny with that of a talented actor, artist and architect Raymond Antoni who supports his wife in all her recent projects. In 2003, Firangiz released her latest album, Beautiful and dedicated it to her mother land and her fans living in Azerbaijan and across the world.

An Award Winning Classical Vocalist YULIA RONSKAYA began her professional career while still a student at the Moscow State Gnesin Conservatory. The talented young soprano made her debut with the Moscow State Opera as Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. After receiving her degree in Voice and Drama, Ms. Ronskaya continued performing with the Moscow State Opera in leading roles of the classical repertoire.
She also collaborated with the Moscow Contemporary Opera and Moscow State Society of Ancient Music; she stared in the motion picture “Dissidents” (Mosfilm), and recorded the soundtrack for the Pushkin’s Theater production of the Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by G. Sprung (Canada)
Since arriving in California in 1992, Ms. Ronskaya has performed Recital Series throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Asia, and recorded the soundtrack for the motion picture “Little Odessa” directed by James Gray (New Line Cinema/Live Entertainment)
In 1994 Ms. Ronskaya was personally invited by HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand to perform a Recital Series at the Royal Palace in Bangkok on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 60th birthday.
In 1996, 1997, 2000 , and 2006 Yulia returned to Moscow for concerts with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra under direction of Veronica Dudarova.
As a vocal coach, Ms. Ronskaya started giving voice instructions while still in conservatory, helping her fellow students overcome their vocal difficulties. Upon arriving in the US, she immediately started a private practice. Among students, members of San Francisco Opera Chorus, soloists of Berkeley Opera, members and soloist of Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus, Oakland Youth Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus. Many of her students received awards from various Voice Competitions and Diplomas from best Music Schools in the US including New England Conservatory, Indiana Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and currently have successful professional singing and acting careers.
In 2008 Ms. Ronskaya relocated from San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles, and in November of 2012 she received a Hollywood Music in Media Award for her recently released album Les Frissons D’Amour.
Yulia continues to perform solo recitals, coach private voice student, and working on her next CD to be released in 2014.

MISCHA KOPITMAN, (DMA) is the chairman of Colibri jury.  Dr. Kopitman is a prolific performer, writer, teacher and competition judge. He served as the music editor of  “Creative Child” magazine. Dr. Kopitman’s piano students have been accepted at Eastman, Harvard, USC and Universität für Musik, Vienna, Austria. He is currently in studio recording “Sonatas and Interludes” by John Cage.

YURI LOTAKOV, (DMA) – completed his doctorate at the Kiev State Conservatory, held teaching positions at the Kiev State Conservatory and the Kiev State Music College, concertized throughout the United States and Europe, performed with major orchestras, participated in chamber music ensembles, appeared on radio and television and served as a jury member for numerous piano and chamber music competitions.
Yuri currently resides in Los Angeles and continues performing and teaching piano.

SVETLANA ZIVER – violinist performer and teacher.
She performs with the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, has been the concertmaster in Burbank Choral Orchestra and New Valley Symphony Orchestra.

DILARA KHALILOVA got her Bachelor and Master degrees from Azerbaijan State Conservatory in city of Baku. Ms. Khalilova presently lives in Los Angeles and teaches in her private studio. She performs in solo recitals as well as in chamber music concerts, coaches young musicians, audits and adjudicates different music events. Her carrier combines 20 years in the former Soviet Union and 25 years in the  United States.