Hywel started learning the piano when he was eight and the viola at fifteen, later joining the West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. He continued playing viola through university and after moving to London was one of the founders of Corinthian Chamber Orchestra, which he now chairs and is the principal viola.

Having retired from full time legal work, Hywel continues to play in a number of London based non-professional orchestras and in the Easter St Endellion festival orchestra. He now has more time for chamber music and regularly plays in quartets and attends coached courses in the UK and Norway.  Hywel plays on a cutaway viola by Otto Erdesz.