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
Teaches all skill levels
Teaching since 2002
Doctor of Music, DMus - Music Performance (Double Bass & Viola da Gamba)
Teaches ages 5+
Has background check
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.
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.
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.