Chris Butler, a native of North Carolina, has been a member of the Memphis Symphony since the 2007-2008 season. His studies include a high school diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University and a Master of Music from Indiana University.

His musical career has taken him all around the world, including the Greensboro Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, June in Buffalo, Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, American Opera Theater, Alabama Symphony and the Kansas City Symphony. Outside of the US his travels have taken him to France, Germany, Spain, Japan and China.