Michael Carlton was born in Edinburg, Scotland. He studied piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow, and at the Royal Manchester College of Music. Since 1974, he has worked in Germany both as a musical pedagog and as a pianist. He has accompanied well known singers such as Brigette Lebaan (Tournee), Chris Kempers (Musical), Deborah Sasson (Musical / Opera / Operetta), Marianne Rogée (Chansons / Cabaret), and Peter Thomas Heydrick (Chansons / Leider).