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.

TATYANA CSARYCHEVA – President and CEO of Entertainment Company Rullywood. She has emerged as one of the entertainment industry most influential people to watch. After being a TV Host she became a Producer for TV Shows.  She is the one of the great singers working in Los Angeles. As founder of Rullywood she is a visionary who has created an Avenue for International musicians, actors and actresses, producers, singers, artists, comedians and other entertainment industry professionals to connect with their audiences through new media concepts and an amazing TV show “Who’s who in Hollywood! With International flavor”. 
She began her career as a musician and a singer, establishing relationships with entertainment heavyweights in Eastern Europe.   Known to stage at the age of 9, young Scarycheva made her debuts with concerts as a soloist of the State Children’s Choir and Orchestra, she then studied singing and piano. Her talented parents and famous brother, – composer, super star and the legend of 80’s and 90’s in Russia, – Sergey Sarychev, were always next to her. At age of 14, Tatyana started helping her brother with voice recordings in his sound-studio Alpha. 
With music classes in Mussorgsky Music University in Russia, at age of 16, she became a chorus conductor for City Choir of physicians.  At the age of 17, she was seated as a judge for Talent Competitions, next to generals of Russian Army and other high officials.  She then continued her studies in Astrakhan State Conservatory on the conductor of choral department. Csarycheva got her training from some of the best music teachers, professors, respected and honored people of Russia. 
Since 1995, Tatyana has been living in Los Angeles. In 2012 she became the Cover Girl for Russian women’s favorite magazine in California, – “City Girl” , for her work with Russian community in Los Angeles.

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.