Dori Díaz Jerez was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where she began her piano studies at the Conservatory of Music, graduating with honours under the direction of Professor Jesús A. Rodríguez Martín.

He furthered his piano studies in New York with Solomon Mikowsky, and at the same time received composition lessons from Giampaolo Bracali, and later studied composition at the New School University – Mannes College of Music – New York, graduating with the highest marks under the direction of Robert Cuckson. He was awarded the Bohuslav Martinů Prize in 2001.