John Griffiths has been playing historical plucked instruments since the 1970s. Since then his career has been built as both a scholar as well as a performer. He has been one of the modern pioneers of the vihuela, giving his first recital in Australia in 1974. He has lectured and performed throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the USA. He works as a freelance performer and researcher, but for many years was Professor of Music at the University of Melbourne. He retains honorary positions at the University of Melbourne and the Centre d’Etudes Supérieures de la Renaissance in Tours. He sees his performing activities as an extension of his research work, exploring little-known repertory and other aspects of historical instrumental practice. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, an Officer of the Orden de Isabel la Católica, a Member of the Order of Australia, and vice-president of the International Musicological Society.