Welcome to European Piano Academy in the Bay Area
Who runs European Piano Academy in the Bay Area ?
Paola Rrapaj Kraja M.M., M.Ed. is the founder of E.P.A She is a highly accomplished pianist, with 20 years of dedicated study in the heart of Europe, in Prague. She holds a double master's degree in piano performance and education from the prestigious Charles University in Prague, the oldest university in the Central Europe dated from 1348 and has graced numerous international stages, performing both as a soloist and with esteemed orchestras in a myriad of countries such as Italy, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States, among others.
In addition to her impressive performance credentials, Paola has a wealth of teaching experience, having successfully instructed students in both private and public schools for many years. Her teaching extends beyond technical aspects of playing the piano, as she also excels in instilling a deep sense of confidence and passion for music in her students. Currently, Paola is preparing to embark on her doctoral studies, further expanding her already vast knowledge and expertise in the field of music.
Interested on Paola's Academic Publications ?
https://dspace.cuni.cz/handle/20.500.11956/121483
An analysis of piano teaching method in Albania and propose of a system of innovation on piano teaching
This academic work, published in 2020 is dedicated to the needs of the piano teaching for kids from 6 to 9 years old in Albania who decide to study piano playing. This work contains a methodology that is based on professional playing starting from middle C to counter hand movement to playing directly with both music clefs, the treble and the bass one.
The methodology is inspired by the world's modern methods and needs for the proper development of the child. Contains well-known, popular songs and classical pieces in a lighter version to achieve more easier and fun piano beginnings. The work is divided into five chapters, which introduce not only the musical life in Albania, but also the insufficient conditions for teaching piano. It also contains a selection of the most famous piano textbooks and albums that exist in Albania, which were used before for piano teaching and probably from that time nothing better or improved came out. And last but not least, the aim that is wanted form this work to be achieved is bringing the new ideas and innovation of my own piano methodology.
Piano repertoire of Cesk Zadeja and Tonin Harapi and its use in piano education
This academic work published in 2017 for discusses the pedagogical benefits of 20th century Albanian piano compositions. It begins with a brief introduction outlining Albanian history and the development of music within the country. The characteristics of Albanian music are then explored in the piano works of Çesk Zadeja and Tonin Harapi, two of the founders of 20th century Albanian music. The analysis focuses on the composers instructive and educational repertoire and how the author of the thesis has implemented both theoretical and practical elements of these works as a tool in the teaching process for Czech students. In conclusion, the author uses her understanding of these Albanian piano compositions and personal pedagogical experience to address the benefits of using these pieces in piano educational practice in the Czech Republic.
