Born in 1968 Rafael began playing the guitar at age 8yrs. He began performinhgat age 14 in various punk rock and then pop music folowed by the blues,hard rock and heavy metal. He also worked as a Mucic Teacher and session musician.

At age 19 he was excepted into the school of music to persue his interest in classical music. It was during this period that he discovered the lute of the Rennaissance. He worked as an accompianist for student exams and played in various Early music ensembles.

Rafel has since worked as a producer and is now devoting all his time to playing the Lute repetoire of the Renaissiance.