Rod was born in Mexico City and began playing the piano at the age of six. When he moved to the United States at nine, he didn’t speak any English, an experience that gave him a deep understanding of how environment shapes learning. As he adapted to his new home in Cupertino, California, he maintained a strong connection to Mexico and has continued to keep up with his Spanish, remaining fully bilingual—a skill that has not only influenced his approach to teaching music but also shaped his perspective on the world. Just as language is acquired through immersion and meaningful interaction, he believes music is best learned as a living, expressive form of communication.

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Throughout his youth, Rod performed in piano recitals and participated in numerous musical ensembles, including stage productions of Pippin, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Guys and Dolls. Notably, he played the lead role in Pippin, an experience that deepened his connection to storytelling through music. He earned an Associate of Arts in Music from De Anza Community College and later completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Cal State San Marcos.

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In 1999, Rod moved to Iowa to study with Phil Mattson, a renowned jazz musician and educator known for his groundbreaking work in vocal jazz. He then attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he studied Music Composition and worked with esteemed composers including William Brooks and Zach Browning. His extensive travels and musical experiences also took him to Bali, Indonesia, where he studied Balinese music and lived for two months thanks to a special grant from the Ford Foundation.

 

Rod has performed with numerous local bands and, in 2012, had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with the San Diego Symphony Chorus. His attention to detail and strong communication skills create a dynamic and engaging one-on-one learning experience. For more than 25 years, he has guided hundreds of students of all ages and skill levels, helping them develop their unique musical blueprint. By first establishing strong fundamentals and building on their strengths, he empowers students to cultivate a deep, lifelong connection to the magic of creativity through music.