About Serena Alexander
Here you can find out more about Serena Alexander's background and some of the influences which give her a unique approach to music and teaching the piano
Musical Background
A classically trained musician, Serena holds a piano teaching diploma from the ABRSM. She started writing songs at an early age and passed her grade 8 piano with distinction in her late teens. During this time she both fronted and worked with a number of bands supporting major artists such as Micro Disney and World Party and worked with the producer of the Average White Band.
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Serena holds a degree and a Masters in Music, Technology and Innovation from De Montfort University in Leicester where she composed for and performed extended vocal techniques. She also composed electroacoustic music for multi-channel speaker systems using found sounds and sounds from the environment, transforming them through computer technology. Whilst studying, she continued to collaborate and perform with various groups and artists including ‘The Voice’ finalist Sally Barker, artist-led music production company Bathysphere, and Riverdance singer Patrick Devine-Wright.
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​Serena has also worked with the Birmingham Electroacoustic Sound Theatre (BEAST) as an electroacoustic composer studying under Jonty Harrison, performing her multi channel works across over 150 speakers, and having them performed as far afield as Montreal, Canada.
In 2023, Serena was a close finalist in the USA's 'Songdoor' international songwriting competition. Serena also reached the finals of the UK Songwriting contest in 2009 with one of her self-penned songs from her 2009 EP release 'Numb', which featured on Spotify and iTunes.
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More on Serena's Background
Serena has performed at a number of venues in Leicester where she used to live, including the Musician, The Y Theatre, The Shed, The Donkey and the Guildhall and she played the Glastonbudget Festival in 2010 with her band.
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Her versatile and mellifluous piano-based songwriting touches on a number of genres including pop, rock, folk and blues. Her voice has been compared to Norah Jones, and some of her songs to Kate Bush and Fleetwood Mac.
Serena has sung jazz with the Rutland Big Band, fronting weddings, charity fundraiser events and Christmas celebrations.
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Also a BBC trained journalist, Serena spent a number of years as a radio and TV news presenter/reporter. Whilst working at Yorkshire TV, Serena anchored the evening news programme presenting alongside the late Richard Whiteley. She also co-hosted a TV game show with Carol Vorderman.
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Serena has recently moved to Dumfries with her husband, son, and three dogs where, inspired by the natural beauty of the countryside, she is now establishing herself as an artist, musician and teacher in the area.