He has been fortunate to perform with the Grammy Award winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, and numerous orchestras throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He has had the honor to perform as a soloist with members of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing with the United States Navy Band, and in several National Anthem performances for nationally televised major league events. 

As an educator, he maintains an active private studio, representing all low brass instruments and levels of experience. Clayton formerly served as the Adjunct Lecturer of Low Brass and Director of the Brass Ensemble at Frostburg State University and has managed a private studio in Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. He also serves as an adjudicator and offers masterclasses, career lectures, and performances to public schools and collegiate programs across the country. 

Beyond teaching, Clayton has operated in several roles as a music marketer and currently serves as the Media Manager for DC Trombone Workshop.

Clayton holds a Masters degree in Performance from Duquesne University, as well as degrees in Performance, Musical Arts, and Education from Alderson-Broaddus College (now Alderson Broaddus University). His primary teachers include Hakeem Bilal, Jeff Dee, Murray Crewe, Dr. Timothy DeWitt, Logan Lindsey, and Dr. Brian Plitnik.