Lena Napradean

Lena Napradean is the founder and director of Școala de Pian. Born in Bucharest, she gave her first concert at the young age of 5. One year later, she won her first international competition. She has given performances all over Romania and in countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Greece.  Throughout her career, she also won more than 20 national and international awards for her achievements. Among these are the Grand Prix within the Valsesia Musica Juniores International Competition, Italy and the first prize offered by Konzerteum International Competition, Greece.

Following her studies at the George Enescu National College of Music, Bucharest, Lena has been granted scholarships to study at two of the top 3 conservatoires in the world. In 2016 she graduated with BMus(Hons) from the Royal Academy of Music, London. Two years later, she received her MMus from the Royal College of Music, London. She then pursued her pedagogy studies, obtaining her LRAM piano teaching degree from the Royal Academy of Music in 2019. Finally, Lena has been awarded her iPGCE in general pedagogy from the University of Sheffield, UK in 2020.

Lena’s pedagogical experience of almost 10 years acts as a testament of her teaching philosophy. She has been working with both young and adult piano students in London and Bucharest, guiding them through recitals, exams and competitions. During these years, she also organised and conducted collaborative music workshops in partnership with the Royal College of Music. Lena currently leads the primary music department of the International School of Bucharest.

Emanuel Mirea

Pianist, vocalist, music producer and lyricist, Emanuel Mirea received his bachelor degree in sociology and anthropology from the Babeș-Bolyiai University in Cluj Napoca. He boasts a prolific career in the music industry, with 4 albums within the celebrated band, Stigma –  Atât de real, Nu e vina ta, Hotel de mii de stele, Best of – Iubește-mă, as well as 2 solo albums – Emanuel and Somerio. His latest single called Să facem viața mai rotunda, a warm, intimate song which talks about the beauty of simple, everyday moments in life, was warmly received by the public and critics and the end of 2019. Emanuel is currently working on the production, keyboard and vocal parts of a new album which is to be launched by the end of 2021.

Among the awards and accolades he has received throughout his career are the Nemira Award for best lyrics in English, the Special Jury Award for Composition within the Mamaia Festival, as well as 2 nominations for the MTV Music Awards, Romania. Following his Romanian success, Emanuel went off to study sound design and post-production for television and film within Columbia Academy, Vancouver Canada, after which he returned to work on his personal musical project – Emanuel Mirea Band.

Marina Bratu

Marina Bratu was born in Găești and began her piano studies at the age of 6, under the mentorship of Mariana Luca. Two years later, she was admitted to study within the Bălașa Doamna Art School in Târgoviște, benefitting from professor Cristina Pintea’s guidance. She is currently studying with professor Vlad Dimulescu (PhD), preparing to receive her Masters Degree in Performance from the National University of Music, Bucharest.

Throughout her career, Marina participated in many national and international musical events, receiving awards within competitions such as Pro Piano, W.A.Mozart, Gradus ad Parnassum, Giuseppe Terraciano (Italy), Les Cles D’Or (France), George Georgescu, Miniatura Romantică, Ina Macarie¸ Dinu Lipatti Festival, Victor Giuleanu, National Music Olimpyad. Her success allowed her to perform in important venues such as the Romanian Institute of Culture and Humanities Research in Venice, Italy, Villa Concerto in Mogoșoaia, National University in Pitești, George Enescu National Museum, Dinu Lipatti Memorial House and the Cantacuzino Pallace.

Due to her winning the Grand Prix within W.A.Mozart competition in 2008, Marina had the opportunity of performing on the beautiful stage of the Bălașa Doamna Amphitheatre in Târgoviște, Romania, accompanied by the Filarmonica Muntenia orchestra, under the baton of Daniel Manasi.