Alexander Serio is an accomplished arts leader dedicated to expanding access to exceptional live music and fostering community engagement. As Executive Director of the Sitka Music Festival, his strategic leadership has significantly strengthened the festival’s financial foundation, driving remarkable increases in earned revenue, contributed revenue, and audience attendance. Under his guidance, the festival has expanded its reach across Alaska, making top-quality live chamber music accessible to diverse audiences while ensuring the long-term sustainability of its mission. In recognition of these achievements, Serio was named one of Musical America Worldwide’s Top 30 Professionals of the Year in 2024.

Previously, Serio served as Director of the Wynnefield branch of Settlement Music School, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community schools of the arts. There, he oversaw a team of staff and faculty and supported the school’s mission of providing accessible arts education. Serving thousands of students annually, Settlement Music School offers over $2.6 million in financial aid to ensure high-quality music education remains within reach for all.

Beyond the Sitka Music Festival, Serio is the Founder and Director of the Ictus International Music Competition, a platform that supports emerging musicians through accessible opportunities and free educational resources.

A classically trained trumpeter, Serio has built a diverse performance career encompassing solo, orchestral, and crossover projects. He has performed as a soloist at venues such as the Academy of Music in Philadelphia and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. He has performed with the Arcana New Music Ensemble, Lancaster Symphony, Kennett Symphony, Garden State Jazz Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Brass, Hickory Brass, and Towson University Faculty Brass. Recently, and he has subbed as Assistant Principal Trumpet with the Reading Symphony. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Principal Trumpet of the Loudoun Symphony in Virginia. He was a two-time semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition, won Shenandoah University’s 2006 Solo Competition, and made his European debut as a soloist at age 18 with the Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra. Beyond classical and jazz music, Serio has collaborated with the band Stacked Like Pancakes, performing at the 25th Anniversary Vans Warped Tour in Atlantic City and recording trumpet for their album, Everything Happens.

As an educator, Serio has guided his students to success in competitions such as the National Trumpet Competition, International Trumpet Guild, and Young Classical Virtuosos of Tomorrow. His students have earned accolades on From the Top’s Daily Joy, performed at Carnegie Hall as young as age ten, and secured first chair positions in the All-National Honor Ensemble and All-State New Jersey. Recognized by the National YoungArts Foundation (notably, his student Ian Lee), they have also been accepted into leading institutions, including the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, Harvard University, Peabody Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University, McGill University, and Juilliard’s Pre-College Division. Additionally, Serio has shared his expertise in Music Entrepreneurship through guest lectures at West Chester University, Towson University, and Shenandoah University.

Serio holds a Master of Music from Towson University, where he studied with Rene Shapiro, and a Bachelor of Music from Shenandoah Conservatory, where he trained under Dr. Scott Nelson. He has participated in additional lessons and masterclasses with renowned trumpeters such as Håkan Hardenberger, Thomas Stevens, Markus Stockhausen, Jens Lindemann, Edward Carroll, Gabriele Cassone, David Bilger, and Stephen Burns.