Phillip W. Serna is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. He was born on August 28, 1980, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a family that valued music. His parents were both music teachers, and they encouraged him to pursue his passion for music from a young age. Serna began his musical journey by learning to play the double bass at the age of 10. He quickly developed a love for the instrument and began to excel in his studies. He went on to study at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Serna continued his education at Indiana University, where he earned a Master of Music degree in Early Music Performance. During his time at Indiana University, he studied with renowned musicians such as Wendy Gillespie and Nigel North. Serna's passion for early music led him to specialize in the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that was popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. He became one of the leading performers of the viola da gamba in the United States and has performed with some of the most prestigious early music ensembles in the country. One of Serna's most significant achievements was his performance at the Boston Early Music Festival in 2009. He was invited to perform as a soloist with the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra, one of the most respected early music ensembles in the world. His performance was widely praised, and he received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing. Serna has also been recognized for his contributions to the world of early music. In 2010, he was awarded the Early Music America Outreach Award for his work in promoting early music to a wider audience. He has also been a guest lecturer at numerous universities and has given masterclasses on the viola da gamba. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Serna is also a prolific recording artist. He has released several albums, including "J.S. Bach: The Six Suites for Viola da Gamba," which was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. The album features Serna's interpretations of Bach's famous suites, which are considered some of the most challenging pieces in the viola da gamba repertoire. Serna's dedication to early music has also led him to explore the music of lesser-known composers. He has recorded several albums featuring the music of composers such as Tobias Hume and Marin Marais, bringing their music to a wider audience. Serna's passion for music extends beyond his work as a performer and recording artist. He is also a dedicated music educator and has taught at several universities, including the University of Notre Dame and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is currently an adjunct professor at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where he teaches courses on early music and the viola da gamba. In addition to his work as an educator, Serna is also a musicologist and has published several articles on early music. His research focuses on the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and he has written extensively on the viola da gamba and its role in early music. Serna's contributions to the world of music have been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career.

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