THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607260207
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: JANELLE LA BOUVE
LENGTH: 69 lines
``How about giving them a big hand?'' Hermie Serna said after youngsters from H.M. Serna School of Music and Dance performed the first of 12 spirited dance routines at Greenbrier Library.
The selections, performed before an audience of about 75 children and their parents, reflected the differences between traditional dance and costumes as they are interpreted in New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii. Although the beat differs from island to island, each portrays a story told in flowing, pantomime gestures.
Serna is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. She has been teaching piano and dance since 1952.
``I'm warning you: Keep your eyes open. If you blink you'll miss something,'' she announced prior to a dance from New Zealand.
Serna's eyes twinkled as her charges awaited their cue to dance. From the waists of their red costumes hung strands of beads and shiny, white, baseball-size fabric balls.
The five young dancers moved smoothly. Their steps and arm movements were synchronized as they twirled first two balls, then three. All the while, Serna coaxed them on. Sometimes she called out instructions or waved her arms.
Her husband, Paul, accompanied them on native drums.
Serna has 50 dance students in six classes this summer. One class is made up of eight adults. She teaches piano to another 50 students. Six of them have been awarded Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission scholarships for individual study in the arts.
Serna's students perform all over Tidewater for occasions such as church and senior groups and birthday and anniversary parties.
If tickets are sold to the event, she gets a studio fee which helps to cover expenses. More often, however, her dancers perform for a ``thank you.''
Full name: Hermie Serna
Hometown: Cavite City, Luzon, Philippines
Fond childhood memories: ``In elementary school, I always represented my school in piano competition, and I always won the trophy for them for the whole state.''
Spouse: Paul Serna
Children: Jocelyn Jewel, Tim Francis Albana, Sydney James Albana, Dennis Norman Albana and Christian Earl Albana
Occupation: Piano and Polynesian dance instructor at H.M. Serna School of Music and Dance.
Hobbies: ``I'm tied up in my work. I'm kind of a workaholic. When I'm out of work, almost every summer, we tour Hawaii, the Philippines and Mexico.''
Last book read: ``I like to read from a harmony of the gospels and medical journals. I also read about composers and travelogues about Polynesia.''
What's your favorite game? Scrabble
Describe yourself as a color: Brown
If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``A little fuzzy white rabbit that will jump and jump.''
What irritates you the most? ``The heat. It gets into my head, my blood pressure and my temper.''
Favorite type of music: ``Classical. I like composers from the classical and romantic eras.''
Favorite movie: ``I like comedy and psycho cases.''
Favorite TV program: `` `Full House,' `The Bill Cosby Show' and musical programs on WHRO-TV 15.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: D & V Oriental Bakery & Lechon Grocery in Orchard Shopping Center and the Bayanihan Restaurant on Volvo Parkway.
Favorite way to spend a day: ``Going to the beach to just feel the breeze. I take my tape player and listen to some nice, soothing music.''
What would you choose for a last meal? ``Vegetables and fish.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY by CNB