Born in Florida, William Carter received a rigorous but conventional training as a classical guitarist with Bruce Holzman at The Florida State University before falling in love with the earlier plucked instruments and the world of historical performance. Following initial guidance from Pat O’Brien in New York City, he traveled to London as a Fulbright Scholar where he studied the lute with Nigel North and quickly established himself as one of the leading players on old instruments. He is an enthusiastic teacher and Professor of Baroque Studies and Lute at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Starting in 2005 a series of early guitar CDs have been released to great critical acclaim, one of which was named in the Gramophone ‘Critic’s Choice’ list for 2005.