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| Julia Okaji, born on February 8, 1977,
started learning piano at 7 years, and since 9 years studied by Martin
Bally in the Music School Voršilská in Prague (called Music School
of Prague now). In 1990 she entered the class of Eva Boguniova at
the Prague Conservatoire, where took part also in master courses of
Nelly Akopian, and Martin Bally. After graduation in 1997 she was
admitted to the Prague Academy. She started her study by Boris Krajny,
then continued by Miroslav Langer. During her study, Julia Okaji has
been given Dr. Holzknecht prize in the Chopin competition (Marianske
Lazne,1993) and Smetana prize in Smetana competition (Hradec Kralove,1994).
In addition, she was awarded first prize from the International Piano
Competition in Tokyo (Japan, 1998), and second prize from the International
Piano Competition in Pinerolo (Italy, 1999). She has given many recitals
and took part in concerts in Prague (e.g.Rudolfinum Suk Hall) and
other cities of Czech Republic, and played also at the Inauguration
concert of the new Italian piano Fazioly (Prague Academy, 1998). Her
interests concern not only solo playing but also piano duos (concerts
given with B. Sejakova in Prague, 1997). In 1999, she was invited
to play in Tokyo at the Excelent Artists Concert and at her recital
in Tokyo she performed all of the Smetana's Czech Dances II. Her article
about Czech music and Czech music life appeared in the Japanese music
magazine Pause (1998).
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