Quickly finding work as a jazz and salsa pianist in town, he was asked even by his high school teacher, Steve Alcala, to play in his professional salsa group, Cana. A group that offered the young artist, opportunities to play with touring greats, such as Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. and Francisco Aguabella.

After graduating from High School in 1991, he received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and moved to Boston where he lived for the next seven years. There, he studied and absorbed the theory, techniques and knowledge of his professors including greats like Giovanni Hidalgo, Victor Mendoza, Wayne Naus, Ted Pease and many many others.. With an education from the most renowned jazz and modern music conservatory in the world, he graduated in 1995 with a double major Bachelors in Jazz Composition and Piano Performance.

He then, received another scholarship to continue his studies, to complete a Master's degree, shared between Berklee and the Boston Conservatory. In the combined graduate program, he studied classical theory and music at the Boston Conservatory and Jazz composition and performance among Berklee's finest. A Magna Cum Laude throughout his educational career, he graduated with a Masters in Jazz Studies, with an emphasis in Composition in 1997.

While in Boston attending college, Channing also led his own Latin-Jazz group, "Conjunto Zaraguey" and later his own Salsa Band "Ajidewe Son". Playing all over New England and New York, his groups were popular with clubs, music festivals and private celebrations.