A remarkably versatile young musician, Benedict Williams began his training as a chorister at King’s College Cambridge, was a music scholar at Oundle School, and graduated from the University of York with a First Class Degree. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with a Masters in early keyboards and a Professional Diploma with distinction in continuo playing & directing, also being awarded the Bache Fund Prize. 

As a continuo player and conductor he has performed in the UK, Europe, Asia, South & North America, and has studied with Carole Cerasi, Terence Charlston, James Johnstone and Rob Howarth. He is the founder-director of The Cedar Consort, and has also worked with a variety of ensembles & festivals including English Baroque Soloists, Ensemble Augelletti, The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Brecon Baroque, Music for Awhile, Ryedale Festival Opera, The Sixteen, London Handel Festival, and the OAE.

Highlights include playing with Brecon Baroque (Rachel Podger), the recorder player Tabea Debus for the International Telemann Competition in Magdeburg, and a tour with Karin Cuellar to Bolivia performing in the XII Festival Internacional de Música Renacentista y Barroca Americana “Misiones de Chiquitos”. He has accompanied finalists in the London Bach Society Singer’s Prize and played in performances ranging from Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers to Handel’s Semele, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Die Zauberflöte. On fortepiano he has played continuo for Ryedale Festival Opera's productions of Mozart's La Finta Giardiniera and Cosi fan tutte, both directed by Eamonn Dougan. As a solo keyboard player he has performed the W F Bach F minor harpsichord concerto, and Vivaldi’s Double Concerto for Violin & Organ with Rachel Podger at the Brecon Baroque Festival.

Benedict is equally at home singing as he is playing the harpsichord. He has been a pupil of Joe Cornwall, Derek Lee Ragin and Alexander Ashworth. As a chorister at King’s he was a regular soloist and made his TV debut singing Once in Royal David's City for the world famous 'Carols From Kings' broadcast. His repertoire includes Copland’s Old American Songs, Erich Korngold’s Zwölf Lieder and Drei Lieder, Finzi’s Before and After Summer & Let us Garlands Bring. His opera appearances include the title role in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with the University of York Opera Society and the Vicar in Britten’s Albert Herring with the University Chamber Orchestra directed by John Stringer. He was a regular soloist for the University Baroque Ensemble performing the major Bach roles including St John Passion, Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat. As a choral singer he was a member of Genesis Sixteen run by Harry Christophers and sang on I Fagiolini’s CD Amuse Bouche.

Not to be altered without permission. Shorter biographies are available on request.