He has performed with the multi Grammy Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, and currently works with several orchestras and ensembles throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He has had the honor to perform in several National Anthem performances for nationally-televised major league events, as a soloist with members of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and in classical, jazz, and commercial venues across the country.

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 taught 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 throughout the US.

Beyond teaching, Clayton has operated in several roles as an arts marketer and media creator, and currently serves as the Media Manager for DC Trombone Workshop.