Robert Vilera was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where he was surrounded by Afro- Venezuelan and Afro-Cuban rhythm. His father, a respected percussionist in his native country, tutored and encouraged Vilera on timbales through his adolescent years. Robert Vilera studied at the respected Orquesta Simfonica de Venezuela (The Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela), and his percussion technique soon garnered attention from his colleagues. He joined the popular music ensembles Oscar D'Leon, where he enjoyed widespread worldwide exposure.