Maria Ines Serritella
- Actress
Maria Inés Serritella, born in the United States, is an artist who began her training at an early age. She is the eldest of three siblings, all of whom have excelled in the world of the performing and visual arts. Her mother is of Cuban-Spanish descent and her father of English-Italian descent. It was at the early age of four that her parents recognized her innate ability as a mover and shaker with great musicality and made the decision to enroll her in a variety of dance classes. This would be the beginning of Maria's professional career towards becoming an experienced performer.
Early in her adolescence, Maria would first experience and acquire her love of acting through musical theater. She later attended New World School of the Arts (NWSA) High School located in the heart of Downtown Miami. While at NWSA, Maria focused on training in core dance techniques Jazz, Modern, and Classical Ballet. Her intense training and recognition gained her the prestigious New World School of the Arts "Deans Award", awarded by renowned dance master, choreographer, and Dean of Dance, Daniel Lewis.
With the experience gained at NWSA and by taking classes in New York City, her repertoire grew to include Spanish Ballet (Flamenco), Belly Dance and Tap, all acquired under the tutelage of choreographers and instructors of renowned dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jose Limon Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the like.
During her career she has shared the stage dancing and studying with dancers and performers that also acquired positions in renowned dance companies such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, etc., as well as Broadway musicals. Upon graduation from NWSA, Maria danced professionally for Miami-based dance companies Freddick Bratcher and Company Contemporary Dance Theatre, Ballet Español Rosita Segovia, Cultural Dance Theatre, Aire Dance Company, as well as several production companies.
Maria's career continued to grow to include lifestyle modeling and actress for television, short films, and feature films. Through her experiences, Maria has had the honor of working with recognized artists and directors such as Director: Adam Shankman, Choreographer: Mia Michaels, Cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tom Cruise in feature film "Rock of Ages", Director: David Gordon Green (HBO's Eastbound & Down), and Athletes: LeBron James, Richard Sherman and Alex Morgan in a national commercial for McDonalds.
Throughout her career as a dancer and choreographer, Maria has received nominations and awards, including a nomination for "Best Choreography" by La A.C.C.A., an organization formed to recognize Hispanic artists.
Additionally, Maria wrote as a contributor for AprilGoLightly, a top South Florida Lifestyle blog about Fashion, Beauty, and Entertainment, and was also one of the Captains/Choreographers for the Strikers Dancers of the FTLStrikers, the premier NASL soccer team of Fort Lauderdale. Her continued support of NWSA continued through her service on the Alumni Board of Directors for several years.
Maria is the Co-Founder of Spotlight Studios Miami, Inc. shared with her husband Ray Anton. Together, they are acoustic duo MaRaya, reprising acoustic versions of classic rock tunes, and founded Midnight Angel, a Pat Benatar tribute band. Currently, Maria and Ray are creating exciting original rock music for their band Out of The Ashes.
