Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou shake hands during the interview at HTTV USA studios
Los Angeles, California, USA. 3rd November, 2022. TV host Joey Zhou interviewed entrepreneur/educator Dr. Johnny Rock (John Mendola) at HTTV USA (Channel 31.2) studios about his upcoming projects and the newest programs he is offering to help young people and students prepare for college at his University Curriculum for Independent Learning (UCIL). UCIL is dedicated to offering high-quality university preparation courses at an affordable prices for students, offering online and hybrid courses that are the same courses taught at universities throughout the United States.
Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou prepare for the interview before filming
Dr. Johnny Rock began his career as a musician and then got involved in the music business organizing concerts and producing events. He was the Marketing Director for IRL Music Group and served as an artist representative that helped propel the band Wishbone to international acclaim, including having a #2 hit in Europe. In addition, his dedication and tireless work ethic were instrumental in hosting successful stadium concert appearances for such talents as Jose Feliciano, Lisa Stansfield and various Asian Pop Artists.
Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou
He later went on to pursue a career in business, starting many companies in the United States and Asia which have brought him success and expertise that he now teaches to young people. He is the Founder of the University Curriculum for Independent Learning, Founder & Chief Financial Officer of the Irvine International Academic Academy, Founder of Johnny Rock Music Group, and Managing Director of IRM Consulting Group, Inc. Additionally, he serves as a Professor of Business & Education at Westcliff University in Irvine, and has experience teaching at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Irvine Valley College, and other institutions.
Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou
In addition to being an entrepreneur and educator, Dr. Johnny Rock has also spent many years in colleges and universities as a student, acquiring many degrees and academic credentials:
DBA. Doctor of Business Administration , Liberty University, Expected Completion 2023
Doctor of Ministry - Biblical Studies (DMIN), Liberty University, 2021
EDS., Education Specialist, University of Western Georgia 2016 | 3.55 GPA
Six Sigma, University of California, Irvine, 2016
Ph.D., Theology, Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary 2015
Master of Theology, Liberty University, 2014
MBA-Master of Business Administration, Liberty University, 2012
Bachelor of Arts, Theology, CCBC, 2011 | 3.76 GPA
AS, Global Business, Saddleback College, 2011
AA, Humanities, Irvine Valley College, 2010
AA, Liberal Studies, Irvine Valley College, 2009
Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou
Johnny is the published author of numerous books including “Getting That Record Deal: The Backdoor Approach”, which is currently available through Amazon.com and iTunes. Regarding language proficiency, John currently speaks entry-level Mandarin Chinese, and plans to continue with advanced Chinese language training in the coming years. One of Dr. Johnny's latest projects is an upcoming record album that he is producing with some well-known musicians that is due to release in 2023.
Dr. Johnny Rock
As a well-rounded and highly successful business professional, Johnny offers students a real-world, hands-on experience in all facets of business planning, e-commerce and traditional marketing, sales, staff training and growth, branding, and contract negotiations. Johnny has developed the insightful and powerful “3Rs” business philosophy of Rapport, Respect and Relationships which he teaches at his university. Dr. Johnny states, "Most University Professors teach from a textbook, whereas I make the textbook come to life by incorporating my real-world experiences into the classroom."
Dr. Johnny Rock and TV host Joey Zhou with LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang joining by video conference to meet Dr. Johnny Rock
After the filming of the interview, Dr. Johnny Rock had the opportunity to talk with LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang from his art studio in Beijing, China. As Dr. Johnny speaks Mandarin, he and Jiannan Huang were able to have a conversation in Chinese and talk about their projects in the art and academic world.
LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang
Jiannan Huang is one of the world's finest artists, specializing in Western oil painting and Chinese ink. He is the first Blue-chip artist established by the LABA International Art Festival, and won first place as the LABA-MIMV Most Influential and Valuable Artist in the world on September 29, 2022. He is ranked third on the 2020 Hurun China Art List and 19th on the Hurun Global List with sales of $29 million. Jiannan Huang holds several positions - Director of the Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association, member of the French National Artists Committee, art consultant for the World Low Carbon Cities Alliance, and France Jiny City Gold Medal Honorary Citizen. He was awarded the title of "Earl" by the Indonesian Royal Family. In 2021, he was given an honorary membership into the Royal Society of St. George (RSSG), California Branch, and received the RSSG "Master of Arts" Award in 2022.
TV host Joey Zhou and Dr. Johnny Rock at HTTV USA studios
TV host Joey Zhou and Dr. Johnny Rock at HTTV USA studios in front sign for China TV Media Group (USA), Inc.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by the JHSZ International Art Institute
Updated: Oct 29, 2022
Todd Williamson, Executive Director of the LABA International Art Festival, points to the upcoming 2022-2023 LABA International Art Festival
Beverly Hills, California, USA. 27th October, 2022. The 2022-2023 LABA International Art Festival and voting conference was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The voting conference was held to select a new rotating chairman for this year's LABA International Art Festival (two candidates) and a LABA Lifetime Honorary Chairman (one candidate). The voting members were the LABA International Arts Festival's Board of Directors and Organizing Committee.
Karen Han, Paul Ottosson, Todd Williamson, Princess Karen Cantrell, Joey Zhou, and Harrison Engle
The LABA Voting Conference was presided over by Todd Williamson, Executive Director of the LABA International Arts Festival. The meeting was attended by key representatives of the LABA International Art Festival Board of Directors and Organizing Committee, including LABA's Founding Chairman Joey Zhou, 2021-2022 LABA International Arts Festival Rotating Chairman, Princess Karen Cantrell, Executive Director of the LABA International Arts Festival, Todd Williamson, and Directors of the LABA International Arts Festival - Harrison Engle, Paul Ottosson, and Karen Han.
Todd Willamson, Executive Director of the LABA International Art Festival
Before the vote, Todd Williamson introduced the candidates and provided the voting instructions to the members. There were two votes, one for Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the LABA International Art Festival, and the other was for the new Rotating Chairman of 2022-2023 LABA International Art Festival:
Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the LABA International Art Festival (one candidate):
Princess Karen Cantrell - an entrepreneur, activist, visionary, philanthropist and humanitarian with a background of aristocratic and British royal blood. Her Excellency Princess Karen Cantrell or Ratu Muda Karen Cantrell is the name she is entitled to for her honors from the Ethiopian Royal Family and the Indonesian Kupang Royal Family. She is the President and CEO of Rancho Mirage Golf Inc./Lady Golf and the Rotating Chair of the 2021-2022 LABA International Arts Festival. Karen is also very active in charitable and social causes in the United States, Africa and Indonesia, including children's rights, animal welfare and education.
Rotating Chairman for the 2022-2023 LABA International Art Festival (two candidates):
1) Jiannan Huang - one of the best artists in the world specializing in Western oil painting and Chinese ink painting, and has developed his own style of "quantum art" in recent years. He is the first blue-chip artist established by the LABA International Art Festival, and won the first place in the world in the LABA-MIMV Most Influential and Valuable Artist Award on September 29, 2022. He ranks third in the 2020 Hurun China Art List and 19th in the Hurun Global Artist List with sales of US$29 million. Mr. Huang has held several positions - Director of the Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association, Member of the French National Artists Committee, Art Consultant of the World Low Carbon City Alliance, and Gold Medal Honorary Citizen of the French City of Jiny. He was awarded the title of "Earl" by the Indonesian Royal Family. In 2021, he was awarded an Honorary Member of the California Chapter of the Royal Society of St. George, and in 2022, he was awarded the Royal Society of St. George "Master of Arts Award."
LABA Blue-chip Artist Jiannan Huang
2) Rémy Aron - a French artist and former president of the French Society of Fine Arts, who graduated from the Paris Academy of Fine Arts in 1972. He is a member of the Salon d'Automne, where he has exhibited regularly since 1981. Aron is also a professor of painting and engraving at the Fine Arts Studio in the city of Paris and past president of the French Society of Plastic Arts. He is secretary of the Federation of Historical Salons of the Grand Palais and president of the House of Artists. He is a knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the French Artist and the Fernand Caumont Grand Prix of the Taylor Foundation. On September 29, 2022, he won the second place in the world in the selection of the LABA Most Influential and Valuable (MIMV) Artist of the 2021-2022 LABA International Art Festival.
French artist Rémy Aron
After the voting, the ballots were counted and Princess Karen Cantrell was successfully elected as the Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the LABA International Art Festival, and Jiannan Huang was elected as the new Rotating Chairman for the 2022-2023 LABA International Art Festival. Due to travel restrictions, Jiannan Huang is unable to travel and attend LABA events in person, so it was agreed that Princess Karen Cantrell would serve as needed on his behalf.
LABA International Art Festival Board members mark their ballots at the voting conference
Joey Zhou, Rob Miller, and Todd Williamson review the counts of the ballots
Princess Karen Cantrell, the newly elected Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the LABA International Arts Festival announced that the 2022-2023 LABA International Arts Festival and Most Influential and Most Valuable Artist (MIMV) was officially launched. She stated in her inaugural speech that she is very grateful to everyone who has elected her as the Honorary Lifetime Chairman of the LABA International Arts Festival and she looks forward to continue working with the LABA International Art Festival in the coming year. She read a thank you email from Rémy Aron thanking the LABA International Art Festival Board of Directors for their work and honoring him with an award at the 2021-2022 LABA International Art Festival.
Princess Karen Cantrell reads a thank you email from Rémy Aron
Karen Han, Paul Ottosson, Todd Williamson, Princess Karen Cantrell, Joey Zhou, and Harrison Engle
Princess Karen Cantrell is interviewed by the media
Jackie Lewis, Jiannan Huang (iPad joined by teleconference from Beijing), during a media interview
Joey Zhou is interviewed by the media
Todd Williamson is interviewed by the media
Three-time Oscar winner Paul Ottosson is interviewed by the media
Harrison Engle is interviewed by the media
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by JH International Art Institute
- The Beverly Arts
Updated: Jul 20, 2023
Professor Richard Wearn, Todd Williamson, Rob Miller, LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang (iPad - by video conference), Princess Karen Cantrell, Harrison Engle, and Jesse Weiner
Beverly Hills, California, USA. 7th October, 2022. The Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) International Art Festival held its judging for the Global Top 10 Most Influential and Most Valuable Artists (MIMV) competition at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on September 29th, 2022, and LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang ranked in first place on the Global MIMV Top 10 List which was published today. The results of the Top 10 List were determined by five members of the Presidium of the Jury of the LABA International Art Festival who voted in person during a closed-door session that was overseen by Princess Karen Cantrell, the rotating chairman of the LABA International Art Festival. The MIMV Global Top 10 artists were chosen from the MIMV Global Top 20 List of artists that was previously announced on September 28th, 2022.
LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang ranked first in the LABA MIMV Global Top 10 List
The 2021-2022 LABA International Art Festival Most Influential and Most Valuable Artists (MIMV) Global Top 10 List are (in order of votes):
1. Jiannan Huang (China)
2. Rémy Aron (France)
3. Marisa Cauchiolo (USA)
4. Bobby Ruiz (USA)
5. Dave Tourje (USA)
6. Joe Davidson (USA)
7. Philippe De Kraan (Australia - tied for 7th) and Meeson Pae Yang (USA - tied for 7th)
8. Rosana Largo Rodriguez (Spain)
9. Devon Tsuno (USA - tied for 9th) and Macha Suzuki (USA - tied for 9th)
10. Joshua Elias (USA)
The selection criteria for judging the artists, as previously stated by Professor Richard Wearn, was as follows:
"First of all, the selected artists must have been shortlisted in the Beverly Hills "2021-2022 LABA International Arts Festival's Most Influential and Most Valuable Artists" Global List of the Top 150 artists. The list was announced to the world on September 28th, 2021, which includes some outstanding artists who are already well-known internationally. As long as they have been shortlisted for the "LABA Icon Awards" by the LABA International Art Festival on October 28th, 2020 through August 28th, 2022, these Top 20 artists are also included in the jury selection.
Lisa Schulte, Richard Wearn, Harrison Engle, Princess Karen Cantrell, Jesse Weiner, and Todd Williamson during the voting session
To be selected, the artist must demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to his artistic creation and have exhibited widely in various respected venues. The artist must create works of art that are innovative and novel in the field. The artist's work has to have a clear purpose. The artist must demonstrate professionalism in the field of fine art, and have a generous spirit and positive message to enhance the human experience. The artists must also be accredited by an institution, government entity, or other important cultural institution and clearly invest in their own work, not just focus on personal interests. The artist's work must transcend national or political ideologies, but address the broader concerns of all of humanity."
Jesse Weiner announces the results of the LABA Top 10 List
After the voting and the results were announced by Jesse Weiner, Jiannan Huang was contacted and joined by international connection/video conference from his studio in Beijing, China, to begin his interviews with American and Chinese media - some of the questions were:
Jiannan Huang is interviewed by the media by international connection/video conference
Question: Mr. Jiannan Huang, you were voted into the 2021-2022 LABA-MIMV Top 10 Most Influential and Valuable Artists in the World", and ranked first among the top 10. Can you talk about your mood at the moment?
Jiannan Huang: "I am very happy to receive this award. I would like to thank the organizing committee for their support and the recognition of my artistic creation. I think for me, winning the Top 10 this time is not the end, it's the beginning. This award can make me feel more confident, concentrate on creation, and create more good works to repay everyone's love. Thank you."
Question: We know that you are the first Blue-chip artist to be launched at the LABA International Art Festival. Do you think it is a popular expectation or an accident that you won the first place in the world?
Jiannan Huang: "There is a Chinese saying that no pie will fall from the sky. Whether it is a popular expectation or an unexpected joy, I think the achievement of any award is the result of accumulation over time, and requires our unremitting efforts and dedication. I will cherish this honor and continue to work hard!"
Question: Remember last year, you were the world's number one artist among the 150 shortlisted artists in the world. Today's final selection was the world's number one. Do you think this is a matter of course or is it obtained through fierce competition?
Jiannan Huang: I don't think there is anything logical in the world. Being able to stand out from so many outstanding artists is inseparable from the rigorous, meticulous and scientific closed-door selection by the organizing committee, and it is also inseparable from the efforts and spirit of exploration of the artists. Our ancestors said: if three people walk, there must be a teacher. I sincerely hope to communicate with more artists from all over the world on the platform of LABA, and learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses to make progress together. Thank you all!
Princess Karen Cantrell is interviewed by the media
Question: How did you feel about today's meeting?
Princess Karen Cantrell: It was stupendous! Such a wonderful event. The voting was intense. It's always difficult to make decisions. So we are really glad that we had five beautiful judges and they really took their time to make the decision. So it was great preparation in the beginning for all of our artists to be considered. And these decisions were calculated by Jesse Weiner, who is our attorney at the Los Angeles Beverly Arts. He flew in from New York and nothing was taken lightly. It's all very serious. It's very difficult to be an artist and to be judged for your work. So it's also can be intimidating. We gave them all the artists the greatest respect and love that they so deserved. And we made our decisions.
Harrison Engle is interviewed by the media
Question: You have so many incredible accomplishments directing over 40 films and doing so many different things. Can you tell us how you got involved with LABA?
Harrison Engle: Well, I've been part of the board of LABA for the last few years and I'm especially excited to have been a judge at this year's competition. This was a very exciting event for us and for for me. We saw the work of so many wonderful artists, and especially our final nominees were spectacular. It was a very tough decision that we had to make today, and we thought about it long and hard. And we saw wonderful art by these artists. Art is an international language, that is what we believe in, and why LABA exists. We want to spread the word about the humanizing and wonderful aspects of art.
Professor Richard Wearn is interviewed by the media
Question: I understand that you also do some writing for LABA. Can you tell us more about your writing?
Professor Richard Wearn: Yes, I typically write about contemporary art. I have been generating a lot of written material for the artists connected to LABA. Obviously, as a writer, it's a thinking game, and the thinking game is really coming from being an artist myself. So I work from that perspective in my writing. And I think writing on art is very important because sometimes it creates an interface that helps other people climb inside the minds of other artists. So, in order to do that, obviously, there's a lot of research and thinking that goes into it. But it's a privilege for me, because every time I read something, every time I look at a new artist, I'm learning, and learning a lot. And I find that to be an absolute privilege. It's something where I am fortunate to get that opportunity.
Jesse Weiner is interviewed by the media
Question: Jesse Weiner, please tell us what you do for LABA?
Jesse Weiner: I have been with LABA since the beginning. I'm a board member and legal legal counsel for the organization. And I'm so proud to be a member of it. I've been handling various transactions, and while I mostly do film and TV, nothing is more exciting than working with Joey Zhou and LABA, and I'm so proud to be a part of it.
Todd Williamson is interviewed by the media
Question: So, I understand that you are involved with the West Hollywood Arts Commission as well as LABA?
Todd Williamson: Yes, I have been on the West Hollywood Arts Commission, it's called the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, for the past 12 years. I've served as chair twice, so this is a similar type of thing where we help artists. It's a project I that definitely has my heart.
Joey Zhou is interviewed by the media
Question: Please tell everyone how you started LABA, as I understand that you are the founder.
Joey Zhou: I am known to my fans as a TV guy and TV host for more than 30 years. I started my career from China in radio and then did TV in the United States. I started my TV career here seven years ago, and I interviewed more than 40 artists from the mainstream. So, I think the world needs more art, so that is why I set up the LABA International Art Festival for the world. I interviewed lots of artists from Asian countries and around the world, professors, as well as local celebrated artists. I'm very happy right now! I cannot make sense of everything, but I know that I wanted the media here because I'm a media person. I wanted the media to tell the results - who is in the Top 10 List. Lastly, I want to say that art is forever, without art, we cannot imagine our lives!
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by JH International Art Institute