Guto Pryderi Puw was born in Parc, Y Bala. He studied with Andrew Lewis and Pwyll ap Siôn at University of Wales Bangor where he gained his M.Mus. degree in 1996, and after winning the Parry Williams Scholarship in 1997 he returned to pursue a PhD in composition. Artists who have performed his works include the London Sinfonietta and the London Sinfonietta Voices, Goldberg Ensemble, Elinor Bennett, Hugh Webb, Ian Pace, Jeremy Huw Williams, the Duke Quartet, Tubalaté, Icarus Ensemble, and PM Ensemble, amongst others.

Guto won Tlws y Cerddor - the Composer's Medal - at the National Eisteddfod in 1995 and 1997. The latest award-winning work Mecanwaith was featured in the S4C series Y Cyfansoddwyr, and was performed by the Duke Quartet during the 1998 Bath Music Festival and the 1999 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. In addition, his works has been extensively featured in various festivals around the country, including State of the Nation, The North Wales Music Festival, the Bangor New Music Festival, and the Vale of Glamorgan Festival. His work different light was performed during the UKwithNY festival at the Angel Orensanz Arts Centre in New York.

Recordings of his works includes the song Blodeuwedd performed by Jeremy Huw Williams on the CD Songs for Jeremy (Sain label), and Visages was recently recorded by Tubalaté and featured on their CD Earth and Moon (TCD label).

Recently, he received two orchestral commissions, one by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for the 2003 season, and the other by the Britten Sinfonia.

Guto is the Chairman and Artistic Director of the Bangor New Music Festival.