Lola Gjoka

Lola Gjoka Aleksi (22 May 1910 – 6 October 1985) was an Albanian pianist during the period of the Communist regime. She began learning the piano at the age of six, and studied under the pianist Karalovy. Gjoka and Maria Kraja recorded over 300 Albanian songs together. During the Italian occupation of Albania, she appeared on Italian stages. She taught at the Jordan Misja high school and became a concertmaster at the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Albania. She later became a teacher at the Tirana State Conservatory. Gjoka performed in Albania, China, Bulgaria, Greece, the USSR, Romania, and Cuba. In 1976, she appeared in the films Tinguj lufte (Sounds of War) and Ballë për ballë (Face to Face). For her work, she was awarded the titles of "Merited Artist" and "People's Artist" of Albania.