Robert Barto graduated from the University of California, San Diego, having specialised in historical lute performance. A Fulbright scholarship brought him to Europe, where he continued his studies with Michael Schaeffer in Cologne and Eugen Dombois in Basle. In 1984 he was awarded first prize in the International Lute Competition in Toronto, as well as top prize of all instrumental soloists in the Musica Antiqua Competition in Bruges, Belgium. Robert Barto has performed throughout Europe and North America including solo recitals at the Festival of Flanders, the Utrecht Festival, ‘Music Before 1800’ in New York City, as well as at London’s Purcell Room. Also in demand as a teacher, he is often on the faculty of the Lute Society of America summer school and has given courses in Sweden, Italy and Spain. Recent tours have included concerts and a masterclass in Tokyo.