We were lucky to catch up with Sera Jo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sera thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Currently, I’m focused on my performances at The Wellesbourne in Los Angeles. The venue’s cozy, old-British atmosphere inspires my set-lists, blending recognizable melodies with jazz arrangements to suit the upscale clientele.
My performances reflect both artistic expression and the needs of the audience.
Before the performance, I carefully select 30 to 40 songs, balancing popular tunes with beautifully composed, lesser-known pieces. Themes range from female pop singers to Brit Rock, depending on the event.

Preparation and consistency have been key to my work. For example, I once prepared three hours of British rock for a whiskey promotion event. Seeing a guest wearing a rock band t-shirt smile at every song I played was incredibly rewarding.

My Saturday performances are more dynamic, featuring collaborations with vocalists or trios. The ability to adapt and curate the right atmosphere, whether for a bustling crowd or an intimate setting, is one of my favorite parts of being a live performer.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, my name is Sera Jo. I’m a pianist and music teacher based in Los Angeles. I perform regularly at The Wellesbourne and teach songwriting at Musicians Institute (MI).

Starting my journey at MI in my late 20s came with its challenges. Rather than pursuing a flashy stage career, I focused on honing my craft and mastering diverse genres. This versatility as a pianist eventually earned me recognition.

Today, I teach songwriting at MI, helping students bring their original compositions to life and collaborating on creative projects. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see their ideas take shape and grow.

Outside of teaching, I run a small business selling sheet music through my YouTube channel, “Sera Jo Sheet Music.” Sharing my work with others and knowing it helps fellow musicians brings me immense joy.

I also perform at The Wellesbourne every Wednesday and Saturday. If you’re in the area, I’d love for you to stop by and enjoy the music! 😊

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I didn’t always approach music with the dedication of a “hardcore” student. Back in college, I could spend 10 hours in the library studying, but I never applied the same intensity to practicing the piano. For a long time, I viewed music as a hobby—something enjoyable, but just as easy to set aside.

If I had grasped the depth and richness of music earlier, I might have been more steadfast in my studies and pushed myself further. Music is an endless journey, and even those who devote their entire lives to it remain humbled by its infinite complexity.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to develop my own songwriting and piano curriculum. I enjoy creating and organizing concepts that can be applied to real-life teaching, helping students grow through well-structured methods. One of my dreams is to write a book about piano voicings and improvisation, sharing what I’ve learned over the years.

I also aspire to release an album or EP within the next two years. Collaborating with talented musicians who can interpret my style of music would be a significant milestone. Working with skilled singers is something I particularly look forward to, as it allows for creative synergy in performance and songwriting.

Another goal is to organize my repertoire into categories. Over time, I’ve accumulated a vast collection of charts and setlists from my performances at The Wellesbourne and other venues. Structuring them would not only streamline my work but also inspire new projects.

I’m also dedicated to learning more jazz tunes and immersing myself in the genre. Jazz is a constant source of inspiration, and I’ve been focusing on improving my piano technique to strengthen my playing and expand my jazz vocabulary.

Songwriting is at the heart of my life mission. I aim to write meaningful lyrics and perform them, bringing my stories to life through music.

Another priority is producing more content for my YouTube channel, but balancing teaching, performing, and personal projects has been challenging. I hope to manage all these goals more effectively, allowing me to grow both as a musician and a creator.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.serajomusic.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/serajomusic
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/serajopiano
• Twitter: https://x.com/serajo
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/serajosheetmusic
• Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/serajo