Edward Hart was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1965. He attended Porter-Gaud school through high school and went to college at the College of Charleston. In addition to music, he was always involved with sports and the outdoors, especially salt-water fishing.
At the College of Charleston Hart's primary teacher was Composer-in-Residence David Maves with whom he first studied composition. After completing a BA in music in 1988, he attended graduate school at the University of South Carolina where his musical mentor was Gordon "Dick" Goodwin. There he completed a Masters degree in 1990 and a Doctorate in 1993.
Hart currently serves on the music faculty at the College of Charleston where he teaches theory and composition. He remains an active composer, outdoorsman, lay person, and family man. He is married to author Beth Webb Hart with whom he has a seven year old daughter Frances and an ifant son Edward, III.