• Faculty

  • Sara Serpa

    Email
    serpas@newschool.edu

    Download vCard

    Sara Serpa

    Profile

    Lisbon, Portugal native Sara Serpa is a singer, composer, improviser who implements a unique instrumental approach to her vocal style.  Recognized for her distinctive wordless singing, Serpa has been immersed in the field of jazz, improvised and experimental music since first arriving in New York in 2008. Described by the New York Times as "a singer of silvery poise and cosmopolitan outlook," Serpa started her career with jazz luminaries such as Grammy-nominated pianist Danilo Perez, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow pianist Ran Blake.   As a leader, she has produced and released eight albums; the latest being Close Up in collaboration with Erik Friedlander (cello) and Ingrid Laubrock (tenor sax). Serpa was voted Rising Star- Female Vocalist by the Downbeat Critics Poll 2019. Serpa is also a member of the We Have Voice Collective, comprised of 14 musicians, scholars and thinkers, determined to promote gender equity in the performing arts.

    Current Courses

    MM PC Major Lessons: 10
    JLES 5100, Summer 2026

    Future Courses

    Adv ET: Ellington & Bartok
    JCTH 4000, Spring 2027

    Lessons 1000
    JLES 1000, Fall 2026

    Lessons 2000/3000: 12
    JLES 3012, Fall 2026, Spring 2027

    Lessons 2000/3000: 8
    JLES 3008, Fall 2026, Spring 2027

    Progressive Composer
    JPER 5100, Fall 2026

    Vocal Performance 5
    JVOC 3723, Fall 2026

    Past Courses

    JCM Fundamentals: Improv 4
    JPER 2227, Spring 2026

    Lessons 1000
    JLES 1000, Spring 2026

    Lessons 2000/3000: 12
    JLES 3012, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

    Lessons 2000/3000: 8
    JLES 3008, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

    MMPC 4 Lessons
    CLES 5040, Spring 2026

    Progressive Composer
    CMUS 5100, Fall 2025

    Stone Lab 6
    CMUS 5560, Fall 2025

    Vocal Performance 1
    JVOC 0601, Fall 2025

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.