John Hallam was born in 1973 in Sheffield and was initially taught the guitar by his father. At 15 he went to study with John Arran and then went on to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with Phillip Thorne. In his first year he won first prize in the guitar challenge competition. He also participated in the master classes of David Russell and Manuel Barrueco.

As a student he became a member of Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now scheme which took him performing all over the UK. He currently resides in Glasgow where he combines a busy playing and teaching career. He plays a guitar that was made by his father.