Yana Rizhova

My name is Iana (Yana Rizhova) and I’m 17 years old. I was born in Kazakhstan in the city of Almaty. My background is Russian and I grew up in a very artistic family, my grandfather was a dancer until I was born and that was when he retired. My grandmother and mom were also dancers when they were young.
I was raised by my grandfather. Since I was an only child at that time my family allowed me to pick any hobby that I wanted, and I chose music. I started taking piano and vocal lessons at the age of six and performed on stages at my school. I was always the youngest one in the choir and my teacher sow a lot of potential in me. I even got a chance to sing main parts in the songs during our school concerts. I also did gymnastics parallel to my singing, but always found music more interesting. Since I was very little, when ever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always had one answer to that, which was a SINGER. I have always been very passionate about music, I do not recall a day when I did not sing and dance to a song. I always tried to prove to everyone that I was the best when it came to something that I really enjoyed.
When I was born my mom had planned on moving to Canada and we were expecting an interview anytime, and during the winter of 2003 my mom flew to Ankara where we got approved in coming here. On September 23, 2003 both my mom and I arrived in Toronto, I was nine years old at that time and didn't know what to expect. I went to Rockford Elementary School, which was pretty hard for the first few months without speaking any English. But I was a fast learner and less than a year later, I learned the language. I had to put a pause on my vocal lessons, but could not last a day without listening to music or singing at least one song. I really started to miss the performing and all the excitement from being on stage. Back then there were no ’s or players and I remember always carrying my CD player around with me everywhere I went. I brought a small portable piano with me which I put in my room, and whenever I got a chance I would sit in my room for hours and sing along to the notes I was able to play.

I performed at:

In 1998 performed in school shows at a kindergarden in Almaty

1998 also took gymnastics classes and places 3 rd in "dynamo sport club" competition in Almaty

1999 performed solo a song called "Valenki" with a choir as backup at a kindergarden in Almaty

2000-2003 joined a school choir and attended several school competitions in Almaty

2005 "Be a Star" competition in matryoshka wonderland (Toronto ) parody for Lindsay Lohan song "That Girl"

2005 Attended dance competitions and won 1st and 2nd places in toronto

2006 "Miss Little Beauty" in Toronto sang a song called "Black Cat" in Russian placed 3rd

2007 "Miss Little Beauty" sang "Overprotected" by Britney Spears won 3rd place