Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, Lyall grew up listening to the popular music of the time and turned his attention to the guitar in his teens. After a period of playing electric guitar in bands and acoustic guitar in folk groups, he settled on the nylon-string classical. After working through some of the standard classical repertoire, all the while listening to what we now call "world" music, Lyall's studies led him on a two-year pilgrimage to Spain where he studied with flamenco master, Manuel Cano, who encouraged him to continue with his original compositions. A subsequent year in Mexico further deepened the latin and folkloric influences.

  With a foundation in classical, flamenco and folk music disciplines, he was now composing a musical hybrid for classical guitar. An alchemy, if you will, of diverse elements.

  In addition to solo performances, he has played with string quartet, bossa nova trio, and various duos with voice, flute, violin and guitar – almost always his own compositions and arrangements.

In recent years, Lyall has performed throughout western Canada, including performances at the Edmonton Folk Festival, the Saskatoon Guitar Festival and for the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary's concert series.

His CD Emanations was nominated for a Prairie Music Award and the release of his CD Revolutions..Remembering the Beatles was the season opener for the Edmonton Classical Guitar Society's 2002-2003 season.

In the spring of 2004, Lyall will be premiering a new suite written for him by composer G.Gordon Nicholson, who currently resides in Switzerland.

Lyall is currently living in Costa Rica.