Clayton Heath is a freelance bass trombonist and music educator in Austin, TX. He currently teaches lessons and masterclasses for all low brass instruments in several districts across Central Texas and performs regularly with regional ensembles. Clayton also serves as an adjudicator and offers masterclasses, career lectures, and performances to public schools and collegiate programs across the country.
Before moving to Texas in 2019, he served as the Adjunct Lecturer of Low Brass at Frostburg State University and was a member of The Brass Roots and Emcee of the funk-brass band Run the Meat. He also performed as a regular substitute with a variety of ensembles, including River City Brass Band and Beauty Slap, and was offered a one-year trial with Johnstown Symphony Orchestra. Clayton has operated in several roles as a music marketer and currently serves as the Media Manager for DC Trombone Workshop.
He has been fortunate to perform with the Grammy Award winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, and several regional orchestras. In 2017, Clayton was a finalist and placed in several competitions at the International Women’s Brass Conference in Rowan, NJ. 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 various low brass instruments and levels of experience, provides educational clinics, and has served as a brass instructor for high school band programs and the Salvation Army.
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 Jeff Dee, Murray Crewe, Dr. Timothy DeWitt, Logan Lindsey, and Dr. Brian Plitnik.