The band programs in the public schools Len attended afforded access to shelves full of a complete range of string, wind and brass instruments.  He began playing string bass and officially switched to the bassoon soon after.  He would frequently dig into the instrument cupboard, however – taking home an oboe, English horn, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones, flutes and anything else he could carry.  He had also purchased an electric bass guitar, which he continued to play in addition to the bassoon

Len loved to make music, and as well as marching in half time shows at Edmonton Eskimo football games with his High School band, the Jasper Place Rebels, he joined every other musical group he could, becoming principal bassoonist for the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, playing bassoon with the Edmonton All City Band, string bass with the Edmonton All City Orchestra, bass guitar with the JP Rebel Stage Band, and either piano or bass in several groups he started with his friends, including a piano trio, a Dixieland band and a Tijuana Brass inspired cover band

Len joined the AF of M, and after high school, played organ and was lead singer for Modified Production – his own five piece Rock & Roll band.  He also played bass and sang backup vocals for Lynn Shaw and the Jim Croft Trio and played other pickup gigs with local Edmonton groups

In 1974 Len married Susan Oscroft – a high school girl friend, and now Modified Production's girl singer, and in 1978 their son, Graham Spencer Christiansen, was born.  Shortly after Graham was born, the family was transferred to Vancouver, where life soon changed completely

Len had long been aware that he was gay, but lacked the courage to come out in his conservative prairie home town during the 1970's.  The sheer size of Vancouver and its laid back atmosphere provided the comfort level necessary to acknowledge his sexual orientation.  Sue and Graham returned to Edmonton to be close to family.  They were divorced a few years later.  Today, Len and Sue have a friendly relationship, and father and son love each other very much.  Also still residing in the Edmonton area are Len's parents, and a younger brother and sister and their families

Coming out for Len was coincident with the founding of the Vancouver Men's Chorus.  A high school friend, Willi Zwozdesky, had just finished Masters degrees in Music Theory and Choral Conducting at the University of Washington and was moving to Vancouver from Seattle.  The pair bumped into each other one night in a local bar.  Soon, Len was driving his van to Seattle, collecting Willi and his possessions, and the two were setting themselves up as housemates.  Posters around the city advertised the formation of a new chorus – inspired by the visit to Seattle of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus the previous season.  Len and Willi were at the first rehearsal, becoming founding members of the Vancouver Men's Chorus.  A few weeks later, Willi was appointed conductor – a post he continues to hold today, more than 25 years later

In 1982, Len met his second partner, Wes Craig, on a trip home to Edmonton to visit with his Son.  A few months later, Wes moved to Vancouver where he, too, became a member of the VMC.  Wes and Len were partnered for 11 years, and remained friends thereafter until Wes' passing in 1999

In 1995 Len joined Squares Across the Border, made hundreds of new friends, and rediscovered his childhood interest in square dancing.  In 1997, Len attending his first Caller's School, sponsored by the GCA (Gay Caller's Association) in conjunction with the IAGSDC (International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs) convention, held that year in Las Vegas

For much of his time with the Chorus, Len served as the Tenor Section Leader - conducting sectional rehearsals and singing rehearsal tapes.  He also served several terms as Treasurer on the VMC Board.  Len was frequently a featured soloist, and appears in solo recordings on Signature and Making Spirits Bright - the first two CDs produced by the Chorus.  He was made a Life Member of the VMC in 1996 and continued to sing with the organization until 2001, at which time, after receiving a 20 year service pin, he retired from active membership in the chorus in order to devote more time to square dance calling and the creation of BBear Productions.  Today Len is still active with the VMC, providing audio support for their performances

In 2004, Len purchased a downtown Vancouver condo, and moved in with his current roommate Buddy - an adorable and endlessly amusing black American Cocker Spaniel

Today, Len dances C3A with Squares Across the Border and uses his vocal talents as he develops his craft as a caller