Biography
Luis Diego Hernández Mejías
Diego is a skilled and versatile musician, specializing in drums and Latin percussion. With a solid foundation in classical percussion and dedication to jazz and Latin rhythms, his talent and dedication have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including First Place in the College Big Band Division at the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterrey, California, and a soloist award at the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Originally from Costa Rica, Diego began his musical journey at the National University of Costa Rica, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a Major in Percussion Teaching and Performance, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He later pursued a Master’s Degree in World Music with a focus on Latin Drums & Percussion at Codarts Rotterdam – University of the Arts. Now based in Rotterdam, he is an active part of the city’s music scene, performing across genres like Jazz, Latin Jazz, Flamenco Jazz, Brazilian, Pop, and Afro-Latin music.
Diego’s versatility has led him to collaborate with renowned artists like Ed Calle at prestigious festivals, including the North Sea Jazz NL and the Monterey Jazz Festival, USA. He has recorded for multiple albums, such as “Somos del Tiempo – Gustavo Nuñez,” which received nominations for the ACAM awards.
In addition to his performance career, Diego is a dedicated educator, teaching at the School of Music in Rotterdam and previously at the National University of Costa Rica. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of rhythmic understanding, technical skill and emotional expression, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Diego is also an active researcher, exploring the adaptation of Latin American rhythms in contemporary percussion and investigating the role of multisensory perception, proprioception, and emotional intelligence in musical performance.
Diego blends research, academic study, and on-stage experience to cultivate a holistic approach to music — one that embraces both the intricate details and the broader perspective. This allows him to be deeply attuned to what he does, feels, and thinks when he plays, bringing a heightened sense of awareness and authenticity to every beat. With this awareness, he is able to pass on his knowledge to his students, inspiring them to connect more deeply with their own musical journeys.
Awards
1st PLACE – CCCN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Next Generation Jazz Festival
Monterrey, California USA
Category: College Big Band Division | Abr 2019
1st PLACE – ENSAMBLE DE PERCUSIÓN UNA
Plasmando Huellas
National University of Costa Rica.
Category: Chamber Music ensembles | Nov 2017
1st PLACE – SOLO MUSICIAN
Américan Protégé International Music Talent Competition
Carnegie Hall. New York USA.
Category: Soloist | Nov 2015
Education
MASTER’S DEGREE IN WORLD MUSIC WITH A MAJOR IN LATIN DRUMS & PERCUSSION
Codarts Rotterdam – University of the Arts | 2022 – 2024
Nils Fischer | Afro-Cuban percussion
Sun Mi-Hong | Jazz drums
Maxim Zettel | Brazilian percussion
Udo Demandt | Flamenco cajon and Brazilian drums
BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MUSIC (LICENTIATE) WITH A MAJOR IN PERCUSSION TEACHING AND PERFORMANCE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
National University of Costa Rica | 2020 – 2021
Carlomagno Araya | Jazz drums and percussion
BACHELOR OF MUSIC WITH A MAJOR IN PERCUSSION TEACHING AND PERFORMANCE
National University of Costa Rica | 2016 – 2019
Carlomagno Araya | Jazz drums and Latin percussion
Carmen Alfaro Méndez | Classical and contemporary percussion
AFRO-LATIN PERCUSSION WORKSHOP by MARVIN DIZ
National University of Costa Rica | 2013
Marvin Diz | Afro-Latin Percussion
PRE-UNIVERSITY MUSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
National University of Costa Rica | 2013 – 2015
Juanmanuel Lopez | Classical Percussion
Carmen Alfaro Méndez | Classical and contemporary percussion
Isaac Morera | Afro-Cuban Percussion´and Costa Rican Folklore
MUSIC STUDY PROGRAM WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DRUMS AND LATIN PERCUSSION
Municipal Conservatory of Alajuela | 2011 – 2015
Marvin Rodriguez | Drums and Latin-American Folklore
Festivals
MOMO Festival. Rotterdam Netherlands
Jessy Yasmeen | 2025
Jazz Op de Rotte. Rotterdam Netherlands
LA Roffa Project | 2024
Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour. Groningen Netherlands
Azumbara | 2024
North Sea Jazz. Rotterdam Netherlands
Azumbara / Sirocco / Julián Muro y banda | 2024
North Sea Jazz. Rotterdam Netherlands
LA Roffa Project | 2023
Jazz Fest Costa Rica 2022
CCCN Jazz Orchestra Ft. Ed Calle | 2022
Monterey Jazz Festival, California USA
CCCN Jazz Orchestra | 2019
Festidanza Argentina
Compañía de Expresiones Culturales Costarricenses | 2019
Festival Internacional de Jazz Costa Rica
Jazz UNA | 2018
Festival Internacional Expresiones Panamá
CECUC | 2017
Professor
School of Music Rotterdam
Feb 2024 – Present
GSD International School Costa Rica
Apr 2021 – Aug 2022
National University of Costa Rica
Mar 2020 – Aug 2022
Municipality of Alajuela Marching Band
Jul 2018 – Mar 2019
Private lessons Classical / Drums / Percussion
Jan 2016 – Present
Municipal Conservatory of Alajuela
Oct 2015 – Aug 2022
Latin Marching Band of Carrizal
Feb 2014 – Apr 2016
Studio recordings
Echoes – Nelson Briceño
2024
EP – LA Roffa Project
2024
Ser – Mau Calderon
2024
“Pampa” Single – Edgar A. Gutiérrez
2023
CCCN Jazz Orchestra & Ed Calle Live
2023
Somos del tiempo – Gustavo Núñez
2021
“Cantando” – La Kuarta, Comando Tiburón
2018
Nómadas – Emmanuel Castillo
2018
Research
“Use, adaptation and combination of Afro-cuban, Brazilian and FLamenco rhythms in percussion arrangements for Latin Music.”
Codarts Rotterdam – University of the Arts
2024
“An exploration of the interrelationship between multisensory perception, proprioception, and emotional intelligence as a tool for the technical development of musical performance.”
National University of Costa Rica
2021
Profesional Portafolio
Jessy Yasmeen (R&B, Soul, Funk, Tropical, Jazz) | 2025
Miami Vibes (Latin Pop) | 2025
Ana Fiszman’s Latin Jazz Group (Latin Jazz) | 2025
Albert Van Dijk (Pop, Latin and Jazz Piano Show) | 2025
Maupas & Clara Bosch (Odd meters, Funk, Pop) | 2025
Lina Lee Trio (Oriental Poetics and European Jazz) | 2024 – 2025
Sia y Su Ritmo Caliente (Traditional Latin Jazz) 2024 – 2025
Gatto Gabriel (Latin Pop) | 2024 – 2025
ChaChaChalina (Salsa Orchestra) | 2024
La Reunion (Charanga Cubana Orchestra) | 2024 – 2025
Julián Muro y Banda (Argentinian Folklore, Jazz) | 2024
Sirocco (Funk, Jazz, Afrobeat) | 2023 – 2025
Azumbara (Latin Jazz, Experimental) | 2023 – 2024
NL Flamenco Reunion (Flamenco Jazz) | 2023 – 2024
Raffael Gama (Brazilian Music) | 2023 – 2025
Codarts Pop Orchestra | 2023
La Vintage – Gerardo Rosales (Salsa dura) | 2023
LA Roffa Project (Latin Jazz, Spain Folklore) | 2022 – 2025
Ripa Na Tulipa Bloco – Batucada with Brass Rotterdam (Brazilian music) | 2022 – 2023
CCCN Jazz Orchestra Ft. Ed Calle (Latin Jazz Big Band) | 2022
Compadres – Álvaro Fernández (Latinoamerican trova) | 2021
Marcelo Jiménez – Camilo Sesto Tribute (Pop) | 2020
Gustavo Núñez (Jazz Fusion, Trova, Experimental) | 2020 – 2022
Acoustic Trio – Alvez Musical Production (Trova, Pop, Rock Ballad, Latin) | 2019 – 2022
Hispania – Alvez Musical Production (Acoustic latin pop) | 2019 – 2022
Álvez band – Alvez Musical Production (Salsa, Vallenato, Reggaeton, Cumbia, Rock, Merengue) | 2019 – 2022
Oscar MB (Trova) – 2019
Compañía de Expresiones Culturales Costarricenses – Argentina Tour (Costa Rican Folklore) | 2019
CCCN Jazz Orchestra – Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano (Jazz Big Band) | 2018 – 2022
Orquesta sinfónica UNA Costa Rica (Classical music) | 2018
La Vaina (Salsa, Vallenato, Reggaeton, Latin pop) | 2018 – 2019
Emmanuel Castillo (Jazz) | 2018
Percussion Ensamble Carlos Saavedra (Chamber Music) | 2018 – 2022
Taller de Jazz UNA (Jazz Big Band) | 2018 – 2020
Retro Avenue (Rock) | 2018
Michael Jackson Forever – Michael Jackson Tribute (Pop) | 2018
Juan Vainas y Chibolo – Teatro el Triciclo Productions (Comedy theater show with live music) | 2017 – 2019
“Amor Eterno”, Juan Gabriel Tribute – Teatro el Triciclo Productions (Pop Symphony Orchestra) | 2017
Aurora Entertainment (Latin Band for Events) | 2017 – 2018
Latin Groove (Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bolero) | 2017
Compañía de Expresiones Culturales Costarricenses – Panama Tour (Costa Rican Folklore) | 2017
Latin Beats – Álvez Musical Production (Percussion and DJ Show) | 2016 – 2022
Maria Conchita Alonso – Teletón CR (Pop) | 2016
Jorge Guillen (Costa Rican Folklore) | 2016 – 2022
Taller de jazz UNA (Jazz Combo) | 2015 – 2017
Pordescarte (Ska,Rock) | 2015
Sasha Campbell (Pop, Funk, Latin Pop) | 2015
Marimba UNA (Costa Rican Folklore) | 2014 – 2016
Jazz Ensamble – Conservatorio Municipal de Alajuela (Jazz) | 2013 – 2015
Taller experimental – Conservatorio Municipal de Alajuela (Latin american folklore) | 2012 – 2014
Cimarrona Carrizaleña (Latin Brass Band) | 2011 – 2017