Chris grew up in a musical family, in Windsor, Ontario, playing the piano, singing in a church choir, and studying the library of musical scores in the basement (Chris's father was a musicology professor). High school brought exposure to popular music, and Broadway; university, to jazz and Mediaeval chansons; and graduate school to all manner of modern theories and compositional techniques. A life-long aversion to decision making meant that Chris would never decide on a single style, choosing rather to write in all the styles (usually at the same time). This boldly postmodern approach to composition has resulted in a lyrical and tonal musical language, underpinned by surprisingly intense counterpoint, with a rich harmonic palette.

Chris has written a good deal of wind music (particularly for the flute), and organ music (as befits a career church musician). Chris's output also includes works for orchestra, string quartet, various other chamber ensembles, a musical, and a film score.

Chris attended the universities of Windsor (B.Mus.), and British Columbia (M.Mus.), before completing a Ph.D. (also in music) at Stony Brook.