Chandler attended the Hammonasset School in Madison, CT and graduated from Bard College, in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY.

He obtained a post-graduate certificate from the University of Sussex England from the British Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM).

Chandler's career was launched in New York City's post punk/new wave era of the early 1980s.

Artists and bands Chandler has worked include Depeche Mode on their album Exciter providing string arrangements, Lori Carson, The Golden Palominos,[1] the Psychedelic Furs, Ultra Vivid Scene, the Creatures, R.E.M., Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Cyndi Lauper.

In 2012, Chandler moved to Berlin and continued to tour with various musicians as well as becoming head of the guitar department at the British Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM).