Christopher Freeman
About
Hi, I’m Chris — a lifelong musician with a passion for blending tradition and innovation. With over 25 years of experience as a studio and session guitarist and 20 years as a sitarist, I bring a diverse and eclectic approach to music-making and teaching.
I’ve toured nationally with a signed band (GS Megaphone) whose work gained traction on radio and video platforms, and I've been part of several nationally released projects. For over 15 years, I served as a Contemporary Music Director for large churches in the metro-Detroit area including Ward EPC, Kensington, and Birmingham/Berkley FUMC, leading and curating powerful musical experiences across a wide range of settings.
My training in sitar includes five years of study under Partha Chatterjee and three years under Chris Hale. These foundations have deeply influenced my last two decades of work in electronic fusion, where I explore soundscapes that integrate Indian and Arabic musical elements with modern textures.
In addition to my solo and improvisational work on guitar, I have a strong background in post-rock, textural, and ambient music. I’m also an experienced songwriter and collaborator, passionate about helping others shape their creative visions.
Whether you’re interested in traditional techniques, songwriting, genre blending, or sonic exploration, my goal is to help you build confidence and find your unique voice as a musician. Lessons are customized for each student—no cookie-cutter approach here.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is rooted in a music coaching approach. As both a musician and a trained life coach, I create a space where students can explore not just how to play—but why they play. We’ll look at your values, inspirations, and goals so that your musical growth feels meaningful and aligned with who you are.
Technically, I emphasize strong foundations in guitar technique, music theory, and solo work. I love helping students unlock the craft of improvisation—not just as a musical skill, but as a way to explore creativity and personal expression.
Whether you're picking up the guitar to play your favorite songs, a seasoned guitarist looking to write original music, or a singer-songwriter wanting to expand your creative range, lessons are customized to meet you right where you are.
One unique offering I bring is beginner to intermediate sitar instruction. With 20 years of experience and formal training under Partha Chatterjee and Chris Hale, I can help you build a solid foundation in classical Indian music and sitar technique—enough to prepare you for deeper study with a traditional guru, should you choose to go further.
Curriculum
My approach combines solid musical foundations with a student-centered, coaching-based framework. I focus on:
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Theory & Technique – Building strong fundamentals that give you confidence and fluency on your instrument.
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Ear Training – Developing your ability to hear, recognize, and recreate music intuitively.
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Creativity – Encouraging exploration and original expression, whether through improvisation, songwriting, or new arrangements.
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Student-Centered Coaching – As a life coach, I bring an intentional approach to music education. Together, we’ll clarify your goals, explore what inspires you, and design lessons that serve your unique path. Whether you're here to jam, write, perform, or simply connect more deeply with music, your voice and vision lead the way.
This method works well for students of all backgrounds—from hobbyists and songwriters to serious learners seeking deeper musical growth.
Credentials & Affiliations
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Trained under a traditional Indian sitar guru, with years of classical study shaping my approach to both sitar and fusion music
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Employed for over 15 years as a Creative Arts and Music Director at large churches in the metro-Detroit area (Ward EPC, Kensington, and Birmingham/Berkley FUMC), overseeing musical programming, team leadership, and live performance
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Signed with Spin Dust Records with distribution through Warner Brothers Music for 4 years with the band GS Megaphone, including national touring and work on projects that received radio and video play (see YouTube for the embarrassing wardrobe).
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Performed with GS Megaphone at numerous festivals including Ichthus, Cornerstone, and headlining or co-headlining at Aquire The Fire alongside bands like Skillet. Notable bands I toured with include: Switchfoot, Pillar, Kings X, Disciple, Super Chick, Chevelle, Newsboys, and of course, the aforementioned Skillet.
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2-time Dove Award nominee in 2002 for the song 'Use Me' and in 2003 for the song 'Electric' with GS Megaphone
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State competition winner for an electric guitar rendition of Handel’s Messiah in my youth.
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Creator and contributor to genre-blending projects that fuse Arabic and Indian musical traditions with contemporary rock and electronic music in the context of my own album 'City of God' (among others) and with belly dance troupes. I've also played live with the band Aradhna in 2007.
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Featured on numerous record releases—both my own and in partnership with other artists. Examples of my own include GS Megaphone, my rock-sitar City of God record, Wolf Queen, and Moses the Black. I've partnered with artistists such as Mitch McVicker, Poor Mans Riches, Soft Like Fire with Jeremy Zeller, Kimberly Gnagey, Beth Stalker, Jonathan Reuel, Heidi Rickard, Bob Anderson & the Alternative, and most recently, working with Benjamin Del Shreve (to name a few, lol). My role is usually dual instrumental tracking with writing and production.