Serrano's Academy

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Serrano’s Academy Performing Arts School has been inspiring students through music since 2000. We offer private and group instruction for children, teens, and adults in a welcoming and professional environment.

Lessons are available in English and Spanish, with instruction in piano, voice, guitar, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and more.

Our mission goes beyond the lesson room: students learn, grow, and have opportunities to perform for others - building confidence while sharing their progress and talents

El Maestro
José Luis Serrano
FOUNDER - DIRECTOR
MUSIC EDUCATOR

José Luis Serrano is a professional musician, educator, composer, and founder of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School. With more than 40 years of experience as a performing musician and decades of experience in music education, he has dedicated his career to helping students develop their musical abilities, confidence, and love of performance.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Serrano began his musical journey at an early age. He later studied French horn at Jersey City State College and began his career as a music educator in the Newark Public Schools. Throughout his career, he has taught students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as through private instruction.

A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Serrano has performed and taught across a wide range of musical styles. His experience includes directing ensembles and working with brass, woodwinds, strings, guitar, bass, and other instruments. He also served as an orchestra director, and Spanish choir director.

Serrano holds a Master of Music In Jazz Performance, as well as a master's degree in Administration and Supervision. His musical specialties include Latin Jazz, Caribbean and Latin American music, and the Puerto Rican cuatro, which he performs in a modern and contemporary style.

In 2000, he founded Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School In Belleville, New Jersey. His educational philosophy ia at the heart of the academy: students learn, grow, and perform. Through lessons and performance opportunities, students are encouraged to build confidence, demonstrate their progress, and share their talents with others.

Serrano is also a composer and author of instrumental method books, including instructional material for the Puerto Rican cuatro and bass. He continues to perform, teach, compose, and share his experience with the next generation of musicians.

Faculty

faculty

JOANNIE SERRANO

ACADEMY MANAGER

Joannie Serrano has been part of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School since its founding in 2000. As the daughter of founder José Luis Serrano , music and education have been an important part of her life from an early age. She studied classical piano for 12 years and also taught piano at the Academy. Today as Academy Manager, Joannie oversees the front desk and assists students and families. She takes great pride in watching students develop their musical abilities, confidence, and love of performance.

JOSÉ LUIS SERRANO

FOUNDER - DIRECTOR

MUSIC EDUCATOR

Puerto Rican Cuatro - Guitar

Electric & Acoustic Bass

Brass - Woodwinds - Ensembles

José Luis Serrano is the founder and director of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School and a professional musician and educator with more than 40 years performance experience. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he teaches Puerto Rican Cuatro, guitar, electric and acoustic bass, brass, woodwinds, ensemble performance.

Serrano holds a Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance, and a master's degree in Administration and Supervision. He has extensive experience as a music educator, and performing musician. His specialties include Latin Jazz, Caribbean and Latin American music, and the Puerto Rican cuatro.

His teaching philosophy combines strong musical instruction with performance experience, helping students develop technique, confidence, musicianship, and the ability to share their talents with others.

Jon Di Fiore

DRUM SET - HAND PERCUSSION -

MALLET PERCUSSION - PIANO -

COMPOSITION - THEORY -

ENSEMBLES

Jon Di Fiore is a professional drummer, composer, and educator who has been a valued member of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School since 2008. He performs throughout the New York City area and brings extensive professional performance and teaching experience his students.

As a composer and recording artist, Jon has released several projects featuring his original music. His musical style draws from jazz, classical, and world music, combining strong musicianship with creativity and collaboration. He has performed and recorded with many respected musicians in the New York music community.

Jon holds a Bachelor of Music degree from New Jersey City University and a Master of Music degree from William Patterson University. At Serrano's Academy, he teaches drum set, percussion, piano, composition, theory, and ensembles, helping students develop technique, musicianship, creativity, and performance skills.

ABEL HENRIQUES

GUITAR - THEORY

Abel Henriques is a guitarist and music educator who has been part of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School since 2016. His musical background includes classical guitar, music theory, and performance.

Abel began playing guitar in 2007 and later studied at Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. He continued his musical studies at New Jersey University, where he studied with guitarist Joao Luis and received the university's MDT Scholarship.

At Serrano's Academy, Abel teaches guitar and music theory, helping students build strong technique, musicianship, confidence, and performance skills.

TIMOFEI ROSALES

STRINGS - PIANO - THEORY

Timofei Rosales is a musician and educator with a strong background in strings, piano, and music theory. He studied Music Performance at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and has extensive experience working with students of different ages and ability levels.

Timofei began his musical training at a young age and developed a passion for teaching under the guidance of his mother, Olga Chernyshova, a violinist and piano specialist. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Russian.

Timofei joined Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School in 2015. At the Academy, he helps students develop strong technique, musicianship, and performance skills.

STELLA CRISPO

Voice & Piano Instructor

Stella Crispo is a professional singer, songwriter and pianist. She performs as a solo singer and pianist along with many highly-professional NJ and NYC musicians. Stella is also a bilingual Italian singer and has opened up for comedians Pat Cooper and Lilies LaRosa.

She has performed off-Broadway, recorded jingles, filmed her first movie role, was a finalist in the San Remo Festival in Italy and a quarter-finalist in 2025 America's next Top Hit Maker.

Stella has been interviewed numerous time both in print on podcasts, and she performs the National Anthem at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. As a song writer, Stella is primarily an adult contemporary writer setting some of her ballads to dance and rock tracks.

Stella graduated from Manhattan School of Music of Preparatory Division as a Piano Major and Voice Minor. Stella also holds a Master Degree in Sacred Music. She continued her vocal studies with prominent NYC coaches.

Stella is both a voice and piano teacher and looks forward her second year at Serrano's Academy.

DEONIA CONQUEST

Voice & Beginner Piano Instructor

Deonia Conquest is a professional vocalist and music educator who has been a valued member of Serrano's Academy Performing Arts School since 2021. She brings more than 10 years of performance experience throughout the Tri-State Area, including work with distinguished choral ensembles.

Deonia earned her Bachelor of Music from Montclair State University, with a concentration in Voice. She studied under accomplished performers Kimberly Suskind and Samuel McDonald and has extensive training in classical voice and musical theatre.

Her musical experience spans Classical, Musical Theatre, Pop, and R&B. At Serrano's Academy, Deonia provides vocal instruction as well as beginner piano lessons.

As a vocal instructor, she focuses on healthy breathing and vocal techniques, confidence, musical expression, and stage presence. Her goal is to help each student develop their individual voice while building the skills and confidence needed to perform.

Method Books