Galen Passen studies and performs North Indian (or hindustani) classical music within the Imdadkhani gharana (style). He draws inspiration most from those musicians who developed deeply lyrical styles such as Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, Shri Shruti Sodalikar, N. Rajam, Pandit Bhudaditya Mukherjee and of course, the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan.

Between 2009 to 2017, Passen lived in New Delhi, where he began his studies of this music. After two years of looking for a suitable learning environment he found his first guru, Gopal Krishan Shahji. Gopalji hails from Nainital where he is in direct lineage of D. R. Swamiji Parvatikar of the Naad Yoga traditions. Gopalji is the first in his lineage to perform the Imdadkhani style and is presently a disciple of Pandit Arvind Parekhji. Upon returning to the United States and relocating to New York City in 2019, Passen continued his training under renowned sitarist Abhik Mukherjeeji. Abhikji is a disciple of Pandit Kashinath Mukherjee and Pandit Arvid Parekhji, both leading disciples of Ustad Vilayat Khan