Octavio Serrano started performing in 2012. As an autodidact, he taught himself to play guitar
when he was 12. He played in rock bands until college, where he began his proper studies at
Morton College and Roosevelt University. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music
Composition with Dr. Kyong Mee Choi, Dr. Stuart Folse, and Jim Gailloreto, while studying
jazz under Scott Mason, Alejandro Cortés, and Roger Harris. Quinteto Panamericano is one of
the first professional groups Serrano joined after graduating, and he plays and records with local
Chicago artists regularly. He leads a neo-soul group named Hi Score with singer Adrian Mendez.
Additionally, he spends his time teaching private music lessons, composing, and raising his son.