Christopher Naughton began his musical training as a piano student at the Adele Franklin Studio in London. He continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire in Birmingham, where he studied performance, composition, and piano pedagogy. Alongside his formal studies, Chris cultivated an interest in improvisation and composition, laying foundations for his later work in jazz and community-based education.

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After completing a postgraduate qualification, Chris worked as a music teacher in London. During this period, he developed an innovative, multi-disciplinary performance arts curricula integrating music with movement and theatre. A sabbatical at the University of York allowed him to further explore intersections between music education and socially engaged practice.

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Chris was appointed Subject Chair in Music Education at the University of Exeter, where he played a key role in shaping music teacher education. It was during his time at Exeter that he developed a sustained interest in the philosophy and practice of samba in community music—particularly the ways in which collective music-making fostered social connection and inclusive forms of participation.

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In 1999, Chris relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand to take up a position at the University of Auckland. There, he became a central figure in the development of community music initiatives, most notably founding the first community samba school in New Zealand. 

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Chris completed his PhD in 2008, consolidating his research in community music. His work now spans performance and pedagogy with an emphasis on Deleuze and conceptual formation in the performing arts. Chris is currently looking for a research opportunity in the Loire France.