Galen has been performing, composing and teaching for many years in the greater Boston area and abroad. He grew up in Massachusetts and developed an affinity and love for original and improvised music at a young age. Learning the piano and studying under several mentors he honed and informed his creative urges with the theory of modern music and the language of jazz, writing for and playing with a wide variety of musicians and instruments.

Traveling through his teens brought Galen to Central America where he was captivated by the words and sounds that surrounded him, learning the language and the landscape through his performances and travel with the group Kinkayú, a traditional ensemble of Andina players from Sololá, Guatemala. He eventually moved to Quetzaltenango where he assumed a post at the Jesus Castillo Conservatory, authoring a jazz studies and ensemble program as well as teaching privately to Guatemalan youth hungry for the sounds of modern improvised music.

In 2005 Galen organized a performance of original jazz arrangements in collaboration with the municipal marimba ensemble and the city art's and culture council. The performance entitled "Marimba Jazz" brought a new sound to the traditional Marimba ensemble through complex harmonies and lyrical melodies played on the marimba and accompanied by a team of local musicians on percussion, vocals, bass, horns and reeds conducted by Galen behind the piano keys.

in July of 2006, Galen organized, produced and conducted a festival bringing together musicians and music from across the continent. Conjuntos de las Americas featured artists performing Argentine Tango, Bolivian Andina, Brazillian Bossa Nova, Mexican Trio, Blues and jazz from North America and others. As well as performing with several of the international ensembles, several compositions of Galen's were performed, including a Milonga piece Maldición del Carpintero and a Bossa Nova for full ensemble. The festival premiered to a sold-out standing room only crowd with performances of high artistry and collaboration. The festival is also the subject of a short documentary film of the same name.

Galen is currently living in Portland, Oregon where he performs and teaches. Playing piano, guitar and percussion and learning more about music and what makes him tick every day.