Mario Diaz de Leon (mdiazdel)

Mario Diaz de Leon

Assistant Professor of Music and Technology

School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Morton 106
(201) 216-3737
(201) 216-8245
Website

Education

  • DMA (2013) Columbia University (Music Composition)
  • MA (2008) Columbia University (Music Composition)
  • BM (2004) Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (TIMARA / Technology in Music and Related Arts)

Research

Mario Diaz de Leon is a composer, producer, and performer, whose creative work explores intersections of sound, spirituality, and technology.

General Information

Diaz de Leon's music has been acclaimed for its "crystalline attacks" (Groove), "snarling exuberance" (Pitchfork), "hallucinatory intensity" (New York Times), and "remarkable textures and vivid atmosphere" (New Yorker). As a live electronic artist, he has performed internationally at festivals including CTM (Berlin DE), Donaufestival (Krems AT), Sacrum Profanum (Krakow PL), and at NYC venues including Nowadays, The Kitchen, and Roulette.

Embracing vivid contrasts and dramatic arcs, Mario Diaz de Leon's live techno sets weave together threads of ethereal, melodic, and hard techno, while incorporating elements from his modern classical collaborations. His experimental electronic works such as "Heart Thread" (Denovali, 2022) convey pilgrimages from the meditative to the kinetic and back, pursuing an immersive, ecstatic sound.

In addition to his work in electronic music, his creative output includes dozens of chamber music compositions, which been presented at venues including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, San Francisco Symphony SoundBox, Chicago Symphony Center, Big Ears Festival, Ojai Festival, National Gallery of Art, Hakuju Hall (Tokyo JP), Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Southbank Centre (London UK), Venice Biennale (IT), Kölner Philharmonie (DE), Lucerne Festival (CH), and Musica Nova Helsinki (FI). This body of work is documented across four albums released on the Denovali and Tzadik labels, and scores of his chamber music are published by Project Schott New York.

Dr. Diaz de Leon studied composition with George Lewis, Fabien Levy, Randy Coleman, Lewis Nielson, and Jeffrey Mumford, and computer music with Brad Garton, Gary Lee Nelson, and Tom Lopez. Outside of academia, his mentors include Maryanne Amacher, Iancu Dumitrescu, and John Zorn.

Institutional Service

  • HASS Curriculum Committee Member
  • Music and Technology Senior Thesis Coordinator Chair
  • Music and Technology Software Coordinator Chair
  • Evaluator for Transfer Credit Applications Chair
  • SEMIA Lab Chair
  • University Curriculum Committee Member
  • Search Committee: Professor of Music and Technology Member
  • Search Committee: Assistant Professor Music and Technology Member
  • Music and Technology Faculty Concert Chair
  • Music and Technology Seminar Chair
  • Advisor, Pinnacle Scholars Program Member

Professional Service

  • Roulette Intermedium member, Board of Directors
  • TAK Ensemble member, Board of Directors

Appointments

Composer-in-Residence, Walden Online Young Musicians Experience, 2020
Core Lecturer in Music Humanities, Columbia University, 2015-18
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Computer Music Center, 2017-19

Professional Societies

  • SEAMUS – Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States Member
  • ASCAP – American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Member

Grants, Contracts and Funds

2024 Avaloch Farm Music Institute Residency
2023 HASS Seed Grant - "Heart Thread Performance System"
2023 Avaloch Farm Music Institute Residency
2022 Loadbang Commission - "Procession" for quartet
2022 Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant with Bloodmist
2022 Avaloch Farm Music Institute Residency with Bloodmist
2018 Alice M. Ditson Fund Recording Grant with ICE
2017 Alice M. Ditson Fund Recording Grant with TAK Ensemble
2017 International Contemporary Ensemble First Page Commission for Rebekah Heller - "Labrys" for bassoon and electronics
2016 Los Angeles Philharmonic Commission - "Lightmass" for brass quintet and synthesizer
2016 International Contemporary Ensemble First Page Commission - "Mysterium" for woodwind trio and electronics
2016 International Contemporary Ensemble First Page Commission - "Anima" for cello trio
2016 Tectonics Festival + Issue Project Room + BBC SSO Commission - "Standard Deviance One" (with Nate Young)
2016 Cello Solos Today Commission - "Cantus"
2015 Avaloch Farm Music Institute Residency with TAK
2015 Chamber Music America Commission for TAK Ensemble - "Sanctuary"
2015 String Orchestra of Brooklyn Commission - "Veni Lumen Cordium"
2013 Jerome Foundation Award for Artist Residency at Roulette
2013 Roulette/NYSCA Commission for Talea Ensemble - "The Chapel Abyss"
2013 TILT Brass Commission -"Bellum" for brass septet
2011 Claire Chase Commission - "Luciform" for flute and electronics
2011 American Music Center Recording Grant
2011 Dissertation Fellowship, Columbia University
2010 International Contemporary Ensemble ICELab Commission and Residency - "Prism Path"
2009 Issue Project Room Emerging Artist Commission - "Vesper Sol" for eight channel electronics
2007 Tzadik Records Recording Grant
2006 Museum of Biblical Art Commission for Allsar String Quartet - "String Quartet No. 2: Psalterion"
2006 Faculty Teaching Fellowship, Columbia University
2005 Meet the Composer Van Lier Fellowship

Selected Publications

Book Chapter

  1. Diaz de Leon, M.; Zorn, J. (2008). Scale and Ascent. Arcana III. New York, NY: Hips Road / Tzadik.
    http://www.tzadik.com/index.php?catalog=B003.

Magazine/Trade Publication

  1. Diaz de Leon, M. N.; Murrieta Flores, D. (2023). To Participate More Fully in the World: An Interview With Mario Diaz de Leon. London: A Closer Listen.
    https://onscreen.thekitchen.org/media/in-conversation-with-mario-diaz-de-leon.
  2. Diaz de Leon, M. N.; Engelman-Lado, E. (2019). In Conversation With Mario Diaz de Leon. OnScreen. New York, NY: The Kitchen.
    https://onscreen.thekitchen.org/media/in-conversation-with-mario-diaz-de-leon.
  3. Diaz de Leon, M. (2016). Tony Conrad 1940-2016: Systems of Oppression. Wire Magazine. London, UK: Wire Magazine.
    https://www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/essays/tony-conrad-1940-2016-mario-diaz-de-leon.

album

  1. Diaz de Leon, M.; Driver, T.; Cymerman, J. (2024). Bloodmist: Trace (5049-012 ed.). New York, NY: 5049 Records.
    https://bloodmist.bandcamp.com/album/trace.
  2. Diaz de Leon, M. (2023). Spark and Earth (DEN 371 ed.). Denovali Records.
    https://mariodiazdeleon.bandcamp.com/album/spark-and-earth.
  3. Diaz de Leon, M. (2022). Heart Thread (DEN 367 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://mariodiazdeleon.bandcamp.com/album/heart-thread.
  4. Diaz de Leon, M.; Cymerman, J.; Driver, T. (2022). Bloodmist: Arc (5049-011 ed.). New York, NY: 5049 Records.
    https://bloodmist.bandcamp.com/album/arc.
  5. Diaz de Leon, M.; Smith, S. (2022). Luminous Vault: Animate the Emptiness (PFL-270 ed.). Kitchener, Canada: Profound Lore Records.
    https://luminousvault.bandcamp.com/album/animate-the-emptiness.
  6. Diaz de Leon, M.; Cymerman, J.; Driver, T. (2020). Bloodmist: Phos (5049-010 ed.). New York, NY: 5049 Records.
    https://bloodmist.bandcamp.com/album/phos-2.
  7. Diaz de Leon, M.; Talea Ensemble; Heller, R.; Roberts, M.; International Contemporary Ensemble (2019). Cycle and Reveal (DEN 319 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://mariodiazdeleon.bandcamp.com/album/cycle-and-reveal.
  8. Diaz de Leon, M.; TAK Ensemble (2017). Sanctuary (DEN 284 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://mariodiazdeleon.bandcamp.com/album/sanctuary.
  9. Diaz de Leon, M.; Smith, S. (2017). Luminous Vault: Charismata (PFL-178 ed.). Kitchener, Canada: Profound Lore Records.
    https://luminousvault.bandcamp.com/album/charismata.
  10. Diaz de Leon, M. (2016). Oneirogen: Convivium (DEN 261 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://oneirogenvoid.bandcamp.com/album/convivium.
  11. Diaz de Leon, M.; Cymerman, J.; Driver, T. (2016). Bloodmist: Sheen (5049-005 ed.). New York, NY: 5049 Records.
    https://bloodmist.bandcamp.com/album/sheen.
  12. Diaz de Leon, M.; Chase, C.; Rubin, J.; International Contemporary Ensemble (2015). The Soul Is the Arena (DEN 234 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://mariodiazdeleon.bandcamp.com/album/the-soul-is-the-arena.
  13. Diaz de Leon, M. (2013). Oneirogen: Kiasma (DEN162 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://oneirogenvoid.bandcamp.com/album/kiasma.
  14. Diaz de Leon, M. (2012). Oneirogen: Hypnos (DEN144 ed.). Bochum, Germany: Denovali Records.
    https://oneirogenvoid.bandcamp.com/album/hypnos.
  15. Diaz de Leon, M.; International Contemporary Ensemble (2009). Enter Houses Of (TZ 8065 ed.). New York, NY: Tzadik Records.
    http://www.tzadik.com/index.php?catalog=8065.

compilation album

  1. Conquer, J.; Baldassare, F.; Merlet, C.; Menet, J.; Strauch, P.; Diaz de Leon, M. (2022). "Trembling Time" for string trio. Ensemble Alternance: On The Move (STR37218 ed.). Milan, Italy: Stradivarius.
    https://naxos.lnk.to/STR37218Na!product_page#.
  2. Cahn-Lipman, K.; Diaz de Leon, M. (2022). "Sumna" for viola da gamba. Kivie Cahn-Lipman: Sumna (FCR 325 ed.). New York, NY: New Focus Recordings.
    https://newfocusrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/sumna.
  3. Chase, C.; Diaz de Leon, M. (2020). "Luciform" for flute and electronics. Claire Chase: Density 2036 parts i & ii (2013-2014) (CD076 ed.). Chicago, IL: Corbett vs Dempsey.
    https://clairechase.bandcamp.com/album/density-2036-parts-i-ii-2013-2014.

film score / sync

  1. Elkins, S.; Diaz de Leon, M. (2021). Echoes of the Invisible. Cronanland Media / Jan Cieslikiewicz Film.
    https://echoesoftheinvisiblefilm.com/.
  2. Deans, Z.; Tezla-Gorsun, M.; Raymond, C.; Colston, M. L.; Diaz de Leon, M.; AUJIK (2017). Alien: Biotic. Los Angeles, CA: 20th Century Fox.
    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1894250030815538.

music video

  1. Diaz de Leon, M.; Larsen, A. (2021). Sacrament.
    https://youtu.be/tZwzXdjy0dY.

score

  1. Diaz de Leon, M. (2022). String Quartet No. 1: "Moonblood". New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/string-quartet-no-1-moonblood/.
  2. Diaz de Leon, M. (2022). String Quartet No. 2: "Psalterion". New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/string-quartet-no-2-psalterion/.
  3. Diaz de Leon, M. (2021). "Anima" for cello trio. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/anima/.
  4. Diaz de Leon, M. (2021). "Cantus" for solo cello. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/cantus/.
  5. Diaz de Leon, M. (2020). "Altar of Two Serpents" for two flutes. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/altar-of-two-serpents/.
  6. Diaz de Leon, M. (2020). "Labrys" for bassoon and electronics. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/labrys/.
  7. Diaz de Leon, M. (2020). "Mysterium" for flute, clarinet, bassoon, and electronics. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/mysterium/.
  8. Diaz de Leon, M. (2020). "Sacrament" for flute, clarinet, marimba, and electronics. New York, NY: Project Schott New York / EAMDC.
    https://www.eamdc.com/psny/composers/mario-diaz-de-leon/works/sacrament/.

Courses

HMU 195 History of Electronic and Experimental Music
HMU 211 Introduction to Electronic Music
HMU 231 Sound Recording I
HMU 232 Sound Recording II
HMU 265 Programming in Max
HMU 301 Communication Practices
HASS 498 Thesis Preparation
HASS 499 Senior Thesis