We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacob Serrano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jacob, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

When I graduated high school from Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music. The problem was I didn’t know where to begin. It’s one thing to love music and having a passion, but it is something completely different when the goal is now not just winning a competition or having a good performance but rather making money. My parents encouraged me to start teaching music lessons at a music store close to where I live in Grand Prairie. I have now worked at music world and have been teaching there for 5 years!

Then Covid Happened. Great, what do I do? The truth is all I could do was be patient and prepare for when more opportunities came. I ended up working in door dash to help provide more income for myself so I could still have liberty to make my own schedule and pursue my musical dreams. After the quarantine passed I started performing and actually making great income. Now I Make music, teach, door dash, and perform for a living. and the craziest thing is that what pays me the most is Performing! that is something I never would have imagined while I was in high school.

I’m currently 23 years old and hope that the best is yet to come. I am very lucky and grateful for my parent’s support I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing if it wasn’t for them.

Jacob, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated with music. I would always sing. When I was in middle school my parents put me in music classes. From there, my hobby turned into full on obsession. Music fascinated me in every way possible. When I started going to Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy I was pushed to not solely rely on my talent alone, but to push my self and strive to be a better musician and person every day!

some of the experiences I had while at GPFAA were performing for thousands of people, singing in a national competition and being a finalist, (106.1 Kidd kraddick morning show – the big break), writing music, and traveling. Those were the experiences that encouraged me to do what I do today!

Now my biggest goal is to share with others my passion for music in every way possible. I teach and help people learn about music. I sing for different types of occasions (weddings, restaurants, funerals, churches, venues) and do my best to entertain people and have fun, And I make music not only for myself but I also help write and produce music with other artists. Music has provided me with so many great opportunities and I want to pay it forward to others for I would not be where I am today with out the help of my friends, family, and supporters.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have literally been rejected from and lost so many talent shows and competitions.

I almost made it on The Voice Season 22. I literally past all 5 rounds and was selected by the Mcnulty Casting Company to compete on the show. How ever a week after they told me I made it, they had informed me that the NBC network had instructed them to make more cuts and I was one of them. That is one that gets me to this day. I have many songs and videos that have “failed” and not gotten very many streams/views. But the truth is that even in my losses I have gained supporters and great connections and friends a long the way. I will probably fail many more times before I get to where my dreams are, but I’m enjoying the journey before I arrive at my destination!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that perfection isn’t real. Effort and consistency lead to more results then waiting for something to be perfect. consistently try your best. You will probably fail many times, the improvements you’ll see in a month, year, decade will show!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/JacobSerrano
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacobserranojte?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073316588797
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacobserranojte
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6qIz-3yByPkLV7dt0aktw
• Other: JacobserranoJTE for my solo work and tips$ BestShotMusic for my studio released music.

Image Credits
Anamaria Perez Son Chau