Talking in the 3rd person is nerdy, but effective.

Rafael Hernandez was born in Bethedsa, Maryland in 1975, though he considers himself a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he grew up. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Music Degree from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University. He has studied composition under composers Sven-David Sandström, Don Freund, P.Q. Phan, Sydney Hodkinson, Keith Fitch, Dan Welcher, Donald Grantham, Russell Pinkston, Peter Knell, and Allan Blank. As well, he has studied with composers John Harbison, Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Gandolfi, and Magnus Lindberg at Tanglewood.

Rafael's music has been heard in many venues across the United States. Most recently, he has served as had works premiered by the Western Massachusetts Music Educators Association Honor Band, Composers Inc. of San Francisco, was a featured composer at the Fresno State New Music Festival. Other accomplishments include the premiere of Unfadeable for by the Cabrillo Festival of New Music orchestra, extensive performances of Etudeñios by guitarist Bret Hoag, and a recording of of PASTICHE by the Cramped Spaces piano/percussion ensemble of Terre Haute, IN released Summer 2003.

At California State University East Bay, Rafael is Chair of the Department of Music and Director of the Multimedia Graduate Program. His research is primarily focused on the use of music and technology to provide new means of music pedagogy. Rafael currently lives in the San Francisco bay area with his wife, Rachel, and his two children, Novlyne and Ulysses.