Today we’d like to introduce you to Ansonia Serrano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Orlando, FL into a music-filled home, so it seems predestined that I would end up working in this field somehow. My father is a veteran DJ and emcee among other things, my mom is a singer and writer, and my eldest brother is a producer. I remember at around age five, I started writing lyrics about love and loss, topics I couldn’t possibly relate to. I credit this to all the exposure to music I had because my parents listened to EVERYTHING. My mom always says I was humming in tune even as a toddler, and she’d look at me in shock knowing I’d definitely be a singer. She has such a beautiful voice, and I’m sure hearing her sing all the time cemented the passion in me.
I spent most of my youth exploring my emotions through writing – the songs could be about scenarios I was going through at the time or themes I’d seen in the world around me. My family moved to Grain Valley, MO in 2007, and I struggled a lot with my mental health afterward, so writing was a necessary and life-saving outlet for me. If I felt alone or unseen, I could translate the hurt into a song, and whether I thought it was good or not, it was healing for me.
I was constantly singing, and I participated in choir and musical theater my entire school career. I auditioned for the X-Factor in 7th grade, and when they said I was too young, it broke my heart. Then, a few weeks later, I won the Vincent Legacy Scholarship in Kansas City, MO for songwriting and singing. When I was 15, my dad helped me to record my first few songs, and I even performed one at my high school talent show. This was the first time I realized that my dreams didn’t have to remain in my head, and they could touch the physical! In my senior year, I auditioned and later won the 2nd place scholarship for Kansas City Superstar 2016. That experience, which allows high school students to perform on a grand stage with a full band, truly changed my life. I knew then that I had to give this career my all.
My family and I moved back to Orlando in 2018, which was a huge adjustment and motivator. Since then, I’ve been on a healing journey that’s given life to some of the favorite songs I’ve ever written. I’ve been working on so much and meeting the most inspiring people. I released my first single titled “Another Life” in 2019 with my brother Luis (FREEDOLO), who produces most of my music. He’s my mentor in a lot of ways, and we’ve released several other songs since then. Currently, we’re working on my first EP, which I’m hoping to release in February 2022.
I’m just so grateful to be in the position I’m in, and I don’t take anything I receive lightly. Finding how to marry your passions with your gifts can be tricky, and I’ve been more than blessed with all the resources I’ve had access to. I can’t wait for Orlando to get to know me better and for me to know this city more, as well!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a young woman, I feel the weight of comparison on me daily, which is an experience I think most of us can relate to. I was only ten years old when I first started suffering from depression and anxiety. Once I hit puberty, I hated my body and became obsessed with how I looked. To this day, I’m recovering from that hatred and learning to love myself as I am. In a world run on social media, especially for women, we’re constantly being shown what we should look like and what we should be doing at any age, etc. That’s definitely been something I feared with my music. I’d think, sure I might have a decent voice or relatable lyrics, but would anyone care if I’m not a model or an influencer? It’s toxic.
On the other hand, social media has allowed so many people to have access to one another and has also made music accessible. Now, independent artists like myself don’t have to rely on being discovered on Youtube or signed by a label to share our art with the world. I try to look at it that way and remove anything from my feeds that make me feel bad about myself. The truth is, the followers, likes, or money it doesn’t really matter in the end. As long as I can share my truth and do what makes me happy, that’s enough!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I pride myself on my writing, and it’s my favorite part of my gift. I love writing in a way that feels personal as if you’re listening to a journal entry. Even people who may not know the story or me personally can listen and find something to relate it to. That’s the best kind of music! Most people who know me know my song “Another Life”, as well as a few other singles I have out currently. I’ve performed at a few places in the area, most recently at the Soundbar for Fusion&Co’s I Love R&B show in June.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Connection! My fondest memories are from performances, but after I get off stage and people come to tell me how my performance affected them. It usually involves a hundred hugs and feeling like I’m on cloud nine. Orlando is such a supportive community, and you feel that on and off the stage. I also get to meet so many fellow artists I look up to and admire, and that leads to collaboration and, of course, connection. I wouldn’t choose any other dream!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ansoniaserrano/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ansoniaserrano
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/52AOcT5OM1QpC5D1LoLesL
