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LIT Music Awards Panel

United States

Zhiyi Wang

Composer, Z-1 Music Studio

Zhiyi Wang is a multi-award-winning composer active in film, contemporary classical, and pop music. He works with the most acclaimed film directors in China. His film scores have been recognized with many awards, such as World Soundtrack Awards, Global Music Awards, Hollywood Music in Media Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, and China Academy Awards of Documentary Film. He scored two out of the ten highest-grossing films in China. By winning numerous awards in the classical domain, his works have been performed by leading artists, including Yuri Bashmet, Sarah Brightman, Lang Lang, Li-Wei Qin, etc., and ensembles and orchestras from North America, Europe, and Asia. He served as Composer-in-Residence in various festivals and institutions worldwide and was a core member of the music crew at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

United States

Rhiannon Bahree

Recording Artist, Songwriter, Engineer, Producer, Musician, Composer, Rhia

The award-winning Australian-born musician brings notable experience to her craft, first making a name for herself in Australia, writing and recording with Grammy/ARIA Award Winners Feenixpawl, ILLY (16 x ARIA Award winner), Strange Talk (Sony), and Gypsy & The Cat (2 x ARIA Award Nominees, Sony Music), where she also began to delve into engineering and production. Since then, she has gone on to speak as a guest on Berklee’s panels, alongside writers for Miley Cyrus, Sony and Nelly Furtado, as well as The Great American Song Contest, with highly decorated songwriter Pat Pattison (John Mayer), Pamela Phillips-Oland (Whitney Houston), and Dennis R. Sinnott (Director of EMI Music Publishing, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones).

United States

Shumile

Producer,Director,Composer,Orchestrator,Arranger,Programmer,Pianist, Singer and Conductor,

Shumile is the producer, director, composer, orchestrator, arranger, programmer, pianist, vocalist, conductor, recording & editing engineer of the music project, "Exotic Dimensions" that create music that combine different styles such as pop, classic/film score, electric and traditional music like ; Irish, Scottish, Greek, African, Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Spanish and Russian. She is also the director and script writer for the music video of this project. She graduated from Berklee College of Music majoring in Film Scoring and conducted the East Coast Scoring Orchestra for her project, also has worked with many traditional instrumentalists and singers from 14 different countries.

United States

Sophia Agranovich

Concert Pianist, Artistic Director, Armonioso Music Studio, Music Educators Association of New Jersey

Sophia Agranovich, a Steinway Artist and multi award-winning pianist, recording artist, educator and artistic director, is “a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics”, “a tigress of the keyboard” - Fanfare. Her performances are mesmerizing audiences by the “orison of uncommon beauty” - Audiophile, “magnificent shading and superior musicianship” - American Record Guide. Among her venues are Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Ehrbarsaal, Kaiser Hall, Salle Cortot. She is collaborating with renowned musicians and members of major orchestras. Her recordings and live concerts garnered rave critical acclaim and are broadcast on major stations worldwide. She is a winner of the Ukrainian Young Artists Competition--now Mykola Lysenko International Competition, Bergen Philharmonic competition, American Prize; as well as a recipient of 3 Gold and 10 Silver Medals from Global Music Awards, 2 Gold Medals from Prestige Music Awards, Best Classical Album and Solo from Akademia Music Awards, 4 Best Classical Piano Albums from Clouzine International Music Awards, 4 Radio Music Awards, Best Classical Recording and Hall of Fame from Indie Music Channel, 4 Platinum, 3 Gold Awards and Instrumentalist of the Year from LIT International Talent Awards, Best Classical Album from One World Music Radio, Industry Leader and Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Awards and more. Sophia Agranovich earned Bachelor and Master Degrees at the Juilliard School, holding a full scholarship and teaching Fellowship, and continued Doctoral studies at Columbia University. Listed in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World”, she is a NARAS voting member, Program Chair of Music Educators Association of New Jersey, and an Artistic director of “Classicals at the Circle” series at the Watchung Arts Center.

United States

Paloma Leyes

Choreographer , Palomaleyes

Paloma Leyes is a young Argentine artist, dancer, model and actress. She was born on September 20, 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since she was a child, she has received academic training in various dances, including classical, jazz, reggaeton and hip hop; currently arriving to rhythms such as street dance and heels. She's been awarded Best Female Dancer by LIT Talent Awards, she's been featured on Billboard, CMTV and other major publications. Her training, talent and charisma, make that in the year 2021 she will be called for artistic and audiovisual productions. Both brands and companies, as well as artists, see in her a person capable of transcending the screen and reaching a mass audience. Her participation and work can be seen reflected in her portfolio, with an organic growth of followers in her social networks. Today she is one of the most important figures of Leyes Media, she continues her improvement with the best and most recognized teachers in Argentina, in addition to her aspirations to conquer other countries and audiences.

United States

Lachi

Recording Artist & Video Director, Recording Academy

Lachi is a recording artist, award winning director, songwriter, and novelist based in New York City. Her music has been featured on international TV, Radio, and feature film, with mentions in the New York Times, HuffPost, NPR, and Oprah Radio. Lachi has toplined songs for SONY, Universal, EDM.com, and Warner projects, among others. A grammy advocacy committee member and member of the Respectability National Women's Speaker's Bureau on Disability Inclusion, Lachi is a strong voice for advocacy in the arts and representation of persons with disability in media.

United States

Victor Abarca

YouTuber and Digital Entrepreneur, House of VA

Victor Abarca is a Spanish digital entrepreneur and content creator based in New York who brings his point of view about the technology world to all his community through a lifestyle approach. He is the influencer with a total of 112,980,062 views on the YouTube channel and gains more than 120k followers on Instagram.

United States

Brian Katona

CEO, Emmy Award-Winning Composer and Orchestrator, EMLA

Brian Katona, the CEO of EMLA, is a celebrated as an Emmy award-winning composer, orchestrator, arranger, and conductor, showcasing his exceptional talent and leadership in both the business and artistic realms.

With a wealth of experience and proficiency in diverse fields, Katona has honed her skills and knowledge to become a versatile expert. Her multifaceted expertise not only encompasses technology and curriculum development but also extends to the art of engaging students, the nuances of music education, and the strategic leadership required for effective educational initiatives.

Katona is a prominent figure in the realms of education, music, and technology, boasting substantial expertise in both K–12 and Higher Education sectors. Renowned for exceptional communication abilities, encompassing strong listening and presentation skills, he has demonstrated a consistent track record of surpassing goals even when facing stringent time constraints.

United States

Natalie Jean

Founder, Natalie Jean Music

Natalie Jean is an award winning, multi-nominated singer/songwriter performer. She is also a Voting Member in the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS). Natalie Jean is a versatile performer and singer. She sings and writes for many genres, such as Jazz, Pop, R&B, Blues, World, Rock, Country, Americana, Inspirational, Adult Contemporary, Alternative, and Dance. Natalie Jean is mostly influenced by artists, such as: Lena Horne, Celine Dion, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. She has performed at many venues in the MD/DC. She also has performed in LA, New York , Nashville, and North Carolina. She also appeared on WPFW, a Jazz station in Washington DC. She has been nominated over 100 times for her music and has won many awards. She has released six albums, Obsession, Natalie Jean, Lecons D'Amour, Unafraid, Haiti Mwen Renmenw, and Where Do We Go From Here?. She has also released several singles. She’s the host of the “Chatting with Nat” broadcast on the SIMRadio Network and the co-founder of Sisters In Music (SIM), an organization that promotes and encourages educational opportunities, collaborative musical works, and performances among women to raise awareness and funding for various female-focused charities.

United States

Nicki Kris

Singer/Songwriter & CEO, Nicki Kris Music & Sisters In Music

Award-winning, Billboard charting, and iTunes powerhouse, Nicki Kris is more than just a singer and songwriter, she is an empowered female voice with a passionate mission. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Nicki's music has captured an international audience. Her original music has been featured in award-winning movies, TV shows, and on radio stations worldwide. Nicki has also been on the official ballot for the Grammy Awards in numerous categories. She is the popular and witty host of Mixing It with Nicki Kris, broadcasted on the SIMRadio Network.

United States

Gary A. Edwards

Composer,

Gary A.Edwards is a composer of classical, musical theatre and film music based in Idaho.

A.Edwards’s prolific portfolio includes eight musicals, an opera, three screenplays, two concertos, and countless compositions. He orchestrated a Tribute to Mildred Bailey concert, transcribing and conducting the entire program. As the playwright and composer in residence at Ignite Theater in Spokane Valley, Washington, his influence extends. His acclaimed album, "Wataino," is a collaboration with co-writer Orlando Sanchez, a virtuoso hand-percussion player who has performed alongside music icons like Stevie Wonder and Donna Summers, as well as contributing to Disney World's music production over several years.

He's composed a wide range of music genres, from jazz to rock, R&B, gospel, and country. His music has resonated with ensembles across the globe, from Washington to Argentina and beyond. He's also had the honor of performing with both the Spokane and Louisville Symphonies.

Thailand

Johnny Ward

Blogger, One Step 4 Ward

Johnny Ward is a renowned international blogger 'One Step 4 Ward'.

Ward gained fame in the blogging sphere by accomplishing the rare feat of visiting every country in the world, simultaneously achieving millionaire status through his blogging endeavors. Subsequently, he initiated a non-profit dedicated to creating sustainable projects in developing communities globally, all while striving to be the first individual to visit every country, reach the North and South Poles, and conquer the Seven Summits.

His insatiable passion for exploration serves as a dynamic catalyst, kindling a fervor for adventure in those who follow his remarkable journey. Through vivid storytelling and immersive experiences, he not only sparks the flame of wanderlust but also cultivates a deep-seated desire for transformative encounters. His narrative not only celebrates the thrill of discovery but also underscores the profound personal growth that comes with navigating the world's diverse landscapes, inspiring individuals to embrace the voyage.

United States

Samya Mohamed

Lifestyle Content Creator, Influencer

“Samya Takes Over” is a social media blog that reviews the best available beauty products in the market. Samya is an authority when it comes to fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle. In fact, she’s a product reviewer and brand ambassador for several high-profile brands. Some of the high-profiled brands she’s had a pleasure of collaborating with were Beautycon, Hourglass Cosmetics, Amazon Prime Video, TOMS, Naturelle, GNC, BareMinerals, HotVita, La Venne, Beautiful Nightmare Cosmetics, Sweat, NYX Professional Makeup, Crabtree & Evelyn London, The Seaweed Bath Co., Eat your Coffee, L’Oreal Paris, ForStyler Hair Professional, Bravo, Dunkin Donuts, Dazzle Jewelry, and Co and Sugar & Kush to name a few. It’s a non-toxic, and cruelty-free makeup line that is made with the highest-quality ingredients so it’s pretty awesome. StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Samya to discuss her journey in the beauty industry

Brazil

Anaya Kunst (AnayaMusic)

Composer, Producer and Singer,

Anaya Kunst is an internationally acclaimed composer, producer, and singer who has received prestigious awards for her sublime work.

Kunst combines her proficiency in computer science with a profound comprehension of universal spirituality to establish a fusion of technology and sensory experiences at the core of her creations. Her commitment lies in enhancing human spirituality through music, addressing a collective desire for harmony, unity, and equilibrium shared by people worldwide. Her musical odyssey commenced with her exploration of the guitar and piano, paving the way for extensive years devoted to composing and independently producing her albums.

Her exceptionally distinctive global background encompasses a journey across the world as a Brazilian pop music performer, as well as employment with both the University of Brazil and the United Nations in the capacity of an Information System Specialist.

Germany

Alexey Pudinov

Co-Founder of Multiple Chamber Music Festivals, AD Festival Days Manchester

Alex Pudinov, a versatile musician, has co-founded multiple chamber music festivals in Manchester, UK, and is also a co-founder of TWO4PIANO and the Frankfurt Piano Trio.

His broad artistic interests extend to his passion for design and photography. His dedication to the importance of music education is evidenced by the multiple music degrees he has earned from institutions such as Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt (Germany), Royal College of Music London (UK), and Royal Northern College of Music Manchester (UK). He is a multifaceted musician whose creative vision encompasses a performance career and a role in arts leadership.

He collaborates with globally acclaimed musicians like Lara Boschkor, Jonathan Crow, Benedict Klöckner, Johannes Moser, Konstantin Soukhovetski, and the Eliot Quartet. Lately, he's performed across three continents and joined prestigious festivals.

Germany

Katerina Moskaleva

Concert Pianist/Chamber Musician, Piano duo TWO4PIANO & Piano Trio MOSAIKTRIO

One of Katerina’s most significant mentors is Martha Argerich’s duo partner, pianist Lilya Zilberstein. She has won multiple awards. For example, she carried off prizes at the Steinway piano competition, the international competition “Verfemte Musik” (ostracized music), and the international piano competition “Hans von Bülow”. She has attended numerous festivals, including: the Rheingau Music Festival, the SoundSPAPE Festival in Italy, the Musik på Bosjökloster in Sweden, and the Puplinge Classique Festival in Switzerland. She demonstrates her inexhaustible capability by associations with young orchestras (i.e. the Junge Norddeutsche Philharmonie), in founding several chamber music ensembles, and in collaboration with various artists at dance projects and theatrical performances (e.g. at the Schauspiel Frankfurt).

Austria

Miguel Bareilles

Composer, Miguel Bareilles Studio

Bareilles began his piano studies at the age of 7 with Evi Zwillinger de Giangrante, and later studied at the National Conservatory of Music "Carlos López Buchardo" in the city of Buenos Aires and the "Instituto Superior de Música Popular", Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since 1981, he has performed several times as a solo pianist in the theatre "Leopoldo Lugones" (Buenos Aires), where he premiered his first composition for piano "Pequeña Sonatina Bonaerense". Author of several symphonies, a concert for violin and orchestra, and various symphonic works, his compositions focuses, however, on chamber music, among which we can highlight, "Grande Sonate Tanguistique", "Toccata Camila", "Folkkata" (concertante toccata), "Agua" (guitar and string quartet), "Secretos de Buenos Aires" (concert suite), and "Casandriana", amongst others. Miguel Bareilles' concerts have been broadcast live on Chinese Television. Bareilles has also directed and produced some twenty music videos of his works, which have been permanently broadcasted, since 2012, on the Arpeggio TV channel of TDA, Argentina.

United States

Brendan Amoruso

Founder, Producer and Video Editor, Luna Lyte

Brendan Amoruso, the creator of Luna Lyte, is a seasoned producer and video editor with a decade of expertise in crafting content for various mediums, including advertisements, documentaries, case studies, and feature films.

His distinctive artistic approach has gained global recognition and accolades, paving the way for collaborations with musicians, innovators, and artists. These partnerships aim to bring their fervor and transformative creations to life on screen, spanning across commercial projects, live events, and digital marketing initiatives.

In his view, the art of editing plays a pivotal role in determining the success or failure of a production, be it a podcast or a pilot. Frequently, he discovers innovative solutions during the course of a project, many of which only come to light through the process of experimentation and learning from mistakes.

Russia

Roman Miroshnichenko

Guitarist/Composer/Producer, Roman Miroshnichenko Studio

His soaring career as an artist includes numerous collective performances and recordings with world-renowned musicians, such as: Steve Vai, Larry Coryell, Al Di Meola, Jennifer Batten, Simon Phillips, Marco Mendoza, Stu Hamm, Heather Headley, Paul Wertico, Gary Husband, Djivan Gasparyan, Joao Donato, Richie Cole, Dominique Di Piazza, and Daniel “Pipi“ Piazzolla, to name a few. Roman Miroshnichenko has received a total of 30 nominations with 10 wins in multiple international songwriting contests and music awards throughout 2010-2020, including four nominee, which are The Independent Music Awards, 1st Prize of the USA Songwriting Competition, 1st Prize of the International Acoustic Music Awards, and The Hollywood Music In Media Awards respectively. He is the official artist/endorser of the Italian company IK Multimedia, Japanese company Roland Music, Swiss company Schertler SA, British company Orange Amps, and American companies: Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Ovation Guitars, and D’Addario & Company Inc.

Russia

Anastasia Vedyakova (An Vedi)

Soloist of the Philharmonic, Musician, Violinist, Composer and Chamber Music Performer,

Anastasia Vedyakova, often known as An Vedi, is a globally celebrated artist, excelling as a musician, violinist, composer, chamber music performer, and singer-songwriter.

With over 25 years on stage, An Vedi is a prominent member of various musical organizations, including BMI, the International Singer-Songwriters Association, and others. Her versatility as a violinist encompasses more than 700 pieces in her performance repertoire, while her composition skills extend to over 100 works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles, and individual instruments. Furthermore, as a singer-songwriter, she has crafted an impressive catalog of over 300 songs.

Starting in 2018, Anastasia (An) has been leading master classes for aspiring musicians using her unique approach, which has garnered approval from educators in schools, colleges, and universities. She is also engaged in vibrant collaborations with members of the Recording Academy, including Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists.

Malaysia

Jae Leong

Judging Committee Chairperson, International Awards Associate (IAA)

Jae Leong is the accomplished chairperson of IAA’s extensive judging committee.

As the chairperson, Leong assumes a leadership role, guiding the organization and spearheading initiatives to uphold quality and creative excellence in critical areas such as design, creative advertising, marketing communications, video production, and business. Additionally, she serves as a key award representative at IAA, consistently demonstrating success in overseeing assessments throughout her career.

She prioritizes the coordination of strategic arrangements among various jury panels, establishing herself as a standout figure in the industry. Demonstrating a keen sense of management, Leong has executed her role with precision, ensuring that each participant receives fair evaluations and unbiased assessments, underscoring the significance of integrity in maintaining the credibility of the judging outcomes. Furthermore, her collaboration with professionals globally has positioned her at the forefront of specialization, enabling the development of exceptional communication and relationship management skills.

Italy

Rigante Iury Sergio

DJ/Music Producer/Sound Designer, Yurierre

25 years of experience in the world of music. He produced his first single in collaboration with a French DJ and an Israeli singer who had good international success. He also makes music collaborations with world-famous artists including Fabrizio Bosso, Petra Magoni, and others. He has a good musical culture and sufficient experience and this allowed him to cover the role of a music consultant for prestigious hotels and clubs. He also produces music for international labels of which he also talent scouts. Many are self-productions. He collaborates with illustrious names of international music, of which some are also managers. Furthermore, he also produces for many singers in the most varied musical genres, loves to discover talents and take care of their management, and is open to news and collaborations, only with people or brands with a healthy reputation.

Spain

Isabel Villagar

Director and Vocal Coach, Vocal Center Spain

Isabel Villagar is the director of the delegation of the Spanish Association of Teachers of Singing (AEPC) and a renowned vocal coach.

She is actively involved in children's choirs and has introduced a methodological proposal based on the Kodály method titled "Vivo Cantando: Coro En Las Enseñanzas Musicales." Currently serving as the chorus conductor for "Cor Infantil de Castelló," she is also the author of several successful publications, including the e-book "Claves de la voz y el canto para el artista del siglo XXI," the best-selling "Guía práctica para cantar” and more! Her interest extends to the recovery of Spanish and Latin American composer repertoire.

As the leader of "La brújula del canto" (with 3 million visits), she actively addresses voice and singing-related issues, significantly contributing to the dissemination of information in Spanish. She spearheads initiatives like the Day of the Voice and Singing in Castellón.

Singapore

John Khoo

CEO and Director, MADDspace

John Koo serves as the Founder and Vocal Director of the Singapore Children's and Youth Show Choir.

At the age of 13, he clinched the Champion title in a SCV Song Challenge, earning the opportunity to share the stage with local pop sensation Tanya Chua at the National Day Parade in 2000. Beyond his role as a pianist and vocalist, he embarked on his choral conducting journey at the early age of 19. Presently, he holds the positions of director at Glee Studios and Vocal Director for the Singapore Children's and Youth Show Choir.

Passionate about nurturing young performers in Performing Arts, Koo, an outstanding vocal teacher in Hong Kong, has coached students to success in international. His students achieved distinction as the top South East Asia entry in the Beijing Arts Festival, highlighting Koo's significant impact on fostering artistic talent and creativity.

Canada

Kailena Van de Nes

Entrepreneur/Choreographer, KV Dance Studio

Kailena has been dancing for over 30 years. She grew up in many different parts of the world, including Brazil, Panama, Aruba, and Canada, so her dance training has been influenced by her global upbringing. Kailena trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and a variety of ballroom styles. She is constantly upgrading her dance education each year, by attending as many dance conventions and training workshops as possible, in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and New York City.

Japan

Reiko Nomura

Composer, Pianist,

Reiko Nomura is a Japanese composer, film composer pianist based in Sofia, Bulgaria and Tokyo JAPAN. She started to play the electronic organ at the age of 3, and from 10 years old She began to compose at the JOC (Yamaha Junior Original Concert), later She started to play the piano and the synthesizer. She received Senzoku University degree with the highest score among the electric organ majors. After graduated, she joined the Conducting Institute. A few years ago, She moved to Los Angeles for performing in the band and for recording CD’s, etc. Acquired qualifications to spread the art therapy that was helpful to her by providing facilities for seniors, children’s classes and giving personal sessions.