We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Serritella Anton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I am the oldest of 3 siblings (me + my 2 brothers). My brothers’ and I have had the unrelenting support of my parents throughout our lives with regard to our artistic endeavors. This is invaluable to a curious child who then turns into a blossoming adolescent in the creative field. Without their consistent sacrifice in getting us to our magnet school programs, picking us up late from after school activities, drives to rehearsals, performances, gallery openings, financial sacrifice, etc., we would not have become the artists we are today. Each one of us is a true professional in our respected fields of study (dance, visual art, and photography). We have learned a discipline and reverence towards our professions and have earned respect from our peers.

My parents have always been humble, kind, selfless, hard working, and grateful humans. As a wife and mother to a household of musicians, these are virtues I continue to apply in my own daily life and career.

Maria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

All about me…

Maria Inés Serritella Anton, born in the United States, is an artist who began her training at an early age. She is the eldest of three siblings, all of whom have excelled in the world of the performing and visual arts. Her mother is of Cuban-Spanish descent and her father of English-Italian descent. It was at the early age of four that her parents recognized her innate ability as a mover and shaker with great musicality and made the decision to enroll her in a variety of dance classes. This would be the beginning of Maria’s professional career towards becoming an experienced performer.

Early in her adolescence, she attended the North Center for the Arts Dance Division at Miami Norland Middle School. This is where Maria would first experience and acquire her love of acting through musical theater. She later attended New World School of the Arts (NWSA) High School located in the heart of Downtown Miami. While at NWSA, Maria focused on intense training in dance fundamentals: Jazz, Modern, and Classical Ballet. Combined, her intense training and recognition gained her the prestigious New World School of the Arts “Deans Award”, awarded by renowned dance master, choreographer, and Dean of Dance, Daniel Lewis.

With the combined experience gained at NWSA and by taking classes in New York City, her repertoire grew to include Spanish Ballet (Flamenco), Belly Dance and Tap, all acquired under the tutelage of choreographers and instructors of renowned dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jose Limon Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the like.

During her career she has shared the stage dancing and studying with dancers and performers that also acquired positions in renowned dance companies such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, etc., as well as Broadway musicals. Upon graduation from NWSA, Maria Ines has danced professionally for Miami-based dance companies Freddick Bratcher and Company Contemporary Dance Theatre, Ballet Español Rosita Segovia, Cultural Dance Theatre, Aire Dance Company, as well as several production companies.

Maria Ines’ career continued to grow to include lifestyle modeling and actress for TV commercials, TV series, short films, and feature films. Through her experiences, Maria Inés has had the honor of working with recognized artists and directors such as Director: Adam Shankman, Choreographer: Mia Michaels, Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tom Cruise in feature film “Rock of Ages”, Director: David Gordon Green (HBO’s Eastbound & Down), and Athletes: LeBron James, Richard Sherman and Alex Morgan in a national commercial for McDonalds.

Throughout her career as a dancer and choreographer, Maria Inés has received nominations and awards, including a nomination for “Best Choreography” by La A.C.C.A., an organization formed to recognize Hispanic artists.

Additionally, Maria wrote as a contributor for AprilGoLightly, a top South Florida Lifestyle blog about Fashion, Beauty, and Entertainment, and was also one of the Captains/Choreographers for the Strikers Dancers of the FTLStrikers, the premier NASL soccer team of Fort Lauderdale. Her continued support of NWSA continued through her service on the Alumni Board of Directors for several years.

Maria is the Co-Founder of Spotlight Studios Miami shared with her husband Ray Anton. Together, they are acoustic duo MaRaya, reprising acoustic versions of classic rock tunes. They also founded Midnight Angel, a Pat Benatar tribute band.

Currently, Maria and Ray are creating exciting original rock music for their upcoming release “Jack of Hearts” with their band Out of The Ashes.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Perhaps one of the hardest things for non-creatives to understand about a life and career in the arts is why we do what we do.

As an artist, you are constantly sacrificing of yourself, be it time, money, energy, mental space, get-togethers with friends/family, etc. I for one, have frequently had the following quotes spill out of my mouth:
“I can’t, I have rehearsal” … “I can’t, I have a gig that night” … “I can’t, I really have to stay focused on this” … “I’m so tired”. Lol

But, it’s the love and passion for performing that fuels my engine. There is an internal driving force that says, “there is nothing else I can visually see myself loving to do more than engaging in a career in the arts”. I have had a couple of moments in my life where I have taken a brief hiatus, but, the universe has always pulled me back in, whether I was looking for it or not. It is what I am meant to do; this is my path.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Go see a show. Support local art, music, dance, theater, fashion, food.
Share promotional materials; this is huge and really helps spread information to areas one may not have been able to access on their own.
Be kind; every one is vulnerable is some form. Some artists are just breaking the ice, and it takes bravery to get out there and do your thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: SpotlightStudiosMiami.com
• Instagram: @MariaSerritellaAnton AND @patbenatartributemidnightangel
• Facebook: @MariaSerritellaAnton

Image Credits
Victor Jinete “Vic The Kid” Photography