Skip to main content
Take Lessons, powered by Microsoft
877-310-1872
image of Phillip S.

Guitar with Phillip S.

Plainfield, Illinois

5.0
(7)
OverviewAboutReviewsExperienceEducationCertificationsAwardsAffiliationsLanguagesGallery
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 5+
Teaching since 2002
Doctor of Music, DMus - Music Performance (Double Bass & Viola da Gamba)

    About Phillip S.

    5.0
    (7)
    Double bassist and violist da gamba Phillip is an active and enthusiastic performer of contemporary, solo, orchestral, and chamber repertoires. As a double bassist, Phillip has performed with EChO – the Evanston Chamber Opera Company, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Illinois Symphony, Lake Forest Symphony, Musicians for Michiana, New Philharmonic, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Southwest Michigan Symphony, the Zohn Collective, and many others. In recent years, Phillip has emerged among the nation’s leading advocates of the viol – the viola da gamba. Phillip has emerged among the nation’s leading advocates of the viol – the viola da gamba. Co-founding the historical-performance ensembles Black Tulip, New Comma Baroque, ViolMedium, and the Spirit of Gambo – a Chicago Consort of Viols, he has appeared across the United States with groups ranging from the Burning River Baroque, the Chicago Early Music Consort, Les Touches, the Newberry Consort, and many others. As a champion of a variety of new works for the viol, Phillip performed the U.S. premieres of Rudolph Dolmetsch’s Concertino for Viola da Gamba & Small Orchestra in 2012, Carl Friedrich Abel's Concerto Violo de Gambo in 2018 as well as being the 1st American gambist to perform ALL of Telemann’s once-lost 1735 Viola da Gamba Fantasias in 2017 - the 250th anniversary of Telemann's death. Phillip can be heard on WFMT Chicago, Wisconsin Public Radio, Milwaukee Public Radio, and on releases from Clarion, Cedille, and Varèse Sarabande Records. Holding Masters and Doctoral degrees from Northwestern University, Phillip teaches at Valparaiso University, North Central College, the Music Institute of Chicago and has served as assistant director of Illinois’ first public-school period-instrument program at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Phillip has served on the faculties of the Madison Early Music Festival, the Whitewater Early Music Festival, and is the music director of Viols in Our Schools earning him Early Music America’s 2010 Laurette Goldberg Award for lifetime achievement in Early Music outreach. Study a variety of modern and period instruments with this versatile artist now. *** Lesson Details *** Private instruction is a vital part of a student's education. My job as a specialist is to work on detailed technical concepts, help the student be more effective and efficient on their instrument, and expose students to a variety of repertoire and styles, accelerating their progress from a beginner to an effective musician. *** Studio Equipment *** Double Bass 4-String Vielle 6-String Treble Viola da Gamba 7-String Bass Viola da Gamba 7-String Elecctric Guitar 6-String Bass Guitar *** Travel Equipment *** Hyundai Ionic Wagon *** Specialties *** Double Bass, Violas da Gamba (Treble Viol, Tenor Viol, Bass Viol, Violone), Vielle, Bass Guitar & Guitar

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    7:30 AM-4 PM
    Tuesday
    7:30 AM-1 PM
    Wednesday
    7:30 AM-4 PM
    Thursday
    7:30 AM-3 PM
    Friday
    7:30 AM-9 AM
    10 AM-3 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $25
    45 minutes
    $40
    60 minutes
    $55
    90 minutes
    $85
    120 minutes
    $115
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    100%
    4
    0%
    3
    0%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%
    5.0
    7 Reviews
    Laura
    Online
    Dr. Serna is such a kind, patient, and super funny teacher. I took viola da gamba lessons from him for a few months during the height of the pandemic as kind of a passion project, and it was awesome! Highly recommend.
    Posted Jul 10, 2021
    Andrew
    Student's home
    Dr. Serna is a masterful musician and teacher who is easy going and tailors the lessons to your needs. He had a vast wealth of knowledge in music and history and could not be a kinder person. You will advance quickly under the tutelage of Dr. Serna and have fun doing it.
    Posted Jul 9, 2021
    Jennette
    Student's home
    Dr Serna has instructed my daughter on the Double Bass for a few years now. He has come to her school for weekly lessons and in-home. She has improved immensely with his instruction. Dr Serna is knowledgeable, personable and is very good at what he does.
    Posted Jul 7, 2021
    112233Next >Next >

    Experience

    Double Bass

    May, 2019 - Present

    5th Wave Collective

    Double Bass

    Mar, 2019 - Present

    EChO, The Evanston Chamber Opera Company

    Baroque Double Bass/ Violone

    Nov, 2018 - Present

    Bella Voce Sinfonia (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Viola da Gamba (Treble Viol, Tenor Viol, Lyra Viol & Bass Viol) & Violone

    Aug, 2018 - Present

    ViolMedium (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Adjunct Instructor of Double Bass

    Sep, 2016 - Present

    North Central College

    Instructor of Double Bass, Viola da Gamba & Viol Consort

    Sep, 2015 - Present

    Music Institute of Chicago

    Double Bass Faculty & Chamber Music Coach

    Jul, 2015 - Present

    OPUS Chamber Music Camp

    Principal Double Bass

    May, 2012 - Jul, 2017

    Valparaiso Rhapsody Summer Festival Orchestra

    Viola da Gamba (Treble Viol, Tenor Viol, Lyra Viol & Bass Viol) & Violone

    Jan, 2012 - Present

    New Comma Baroque (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Assistant Director of Baroque Ensemble, Director of the Patriot & Stevenson Viol Consorts, Club Sponsor

    Aug, 2011 - Mar, 2020

    Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Historical-Performance Ensembles)

    Double Bass & Viola da Gamba

    Jun, 2010 - May, 2016

    North Shore Chamber Arts Ensemble

    Viola da Gamba (Bass Viol)

    Nov, 2009 - Nov, 2010

    Duo Fantaisie en Echo (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Adjunct Instructor of Double Bass & Violas da Gamba

    Aug, 2008 - Present

    Valparaiso University

    Viola da Gamba (Treble Viol, Tenor Viol, Lyra Viol & Bass Viol) & Violone

    Dec, 2006 - Nov, 2017

    The Spirit of Gambo - a Chicago Consort of Viols (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Section Double Bass

    Apr, 2006 - Jul, 2018

    Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra

    Violas da Gamba (Treble Viol, Tenor Viol & Bass Viol) & Vielle

    Nov, 2005 - May, 2011

    Chicago Early Music Consort (Historical-Performance Ensemble)

    Principal Double Bass

    Oct, 2003 - Nov, 2012

    Northbrook Symphony Orchestra

    Section Double Bass

    Oct, 2002 - Present

    Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

    Education

    High School Diploma - Music Performance (Double Bass)

    Aug, 1991 - Jun, 1995

    High School for the Performing & Visual Arts

    Doctor of Music, DMus - Music Performance (Double Bass & Viola da Gamba)

    Sep, 2001 - Aug, 2007

    Northwestern University Henry & Leigh Bienen School of Music

    Master of Music, MMus - Music Performance (Double Bass & Viola da Gamba)

    Sep, 1999 - Jun, 2001

    Northwestern University Henry & Leigh Bienen School of Music

    Bachelor of Music, BMus - Music Performance (Double Bass)

    Aug, 1995 - Dec, 1998

    San Francisco Conservatory of Music

    Certifications

    Paraprofessional Certification, 23 IL Adm. Code 25.510

    Sep, 2007

    Illinois State Board of Education

    Awards

    Laurette Goldberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in Early Music Outreach

    Jun, 2010

    Early Music America

    Affiliations

    International Society of Bassists

    Aug, 1994

    The International Society of Bassists was founded by the world-renowned virtuoso Gary Karr in 1967. With nearly 3,000 members in over 40 countries, the ISB publishes a triannual magazine, Bass World, with an eclectic mix of articles about soloists, jazz and orchestral players, early music, pedagogy, international personalities and orchestras and reviews of new print music and recordings, plus monthly e-newsletters and communications.

    Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America

    Jul, 2013

    Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America (also known as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Mu Alpha, or simply Sinfonia) is an American collegiate social[1] fraternity for men with a special interest in music. The fraternity is open to men "who, through a love for music, can assist in the fulfillment of [its] Object and ideals either by adopting music as a profession, or by working to advance the cause of music in America."

    The Chicago Federation of Musicians

    Sep, 2001

    The Chicago Federation of Musicians is an organization of almost three thousand professional musicians. For more than 100 years, the CFM has been working to achieve dignity and just wages for our art. Our members perform in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera Orchestra, The Redwalls, the orchestras for Chicago’s Broadway shows. We represent musicians performing all styles of music: alternative rock, soul, classical, jazz, rock, country, pop, reggae, Christian rock, and others. Our members are active in recording commercials, television and radio programs and CD's, and perform for private and corporate parties locally and throughout North America.

    Early Music America

    Aug, 2001

    Early Music America (EMA) is a not-for-profit service organization for the field of historical performance in North America. Founded in 1985, EMA's goal is to expand awareness of, and interest in, the music of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods. EMA's members receive a quarterly magazine, monthly e-newsletter, and benefits including access to reduced-rate insurance, discounts on publications, concerts, and festivals, and eligibility for grants, awards and scholarships. With its broad membership, including professional performers, ensembles, presenters, instrument makers, amateur musicians, and audience members, Early Music America serves as an advocate for the field throughout the continent.

    Languages

    Italian

    Limited Proficiency

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Spanish

    Limited Proficiency

    German

    Limited Proficiency

    Private Lessons

    • 1:1 lessons with a trusted instructor
    • 300+ subjects to choose from
    • Meet online or in person
    • Free on-demand videos and articles

    Related Subjects

    Also Through TakeLessons

    This teacher is not currently accepting students

    View similar instructors