Teacher Profile: Clayton Finlayson

About Clayton Finlayson

Clayton began his musical aspirations while at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, GA. Taking on private instruction from acclaimed trumpet player, Jennifer Marotta, Clayton pursued his aspirations of majoring in music in college and having a career in music. Me went on to be accepted in prestigious ensembles such as the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble, was a member of a District 12 Honor Band, and was an All State Band participant under the direction of Dr. John Lynch.

Clayton is currently a Music Management major with a concentration in trumpet performance at Georgia State University. His instructors while attending GSU include Amanda Pepping, and Hollie Lifshey.

Clayton performs regularly with groups and as a soloist around the state, is currently principal trumpet of the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with world champion drum & bugle corps, Carolina Crown, for 2 seasons, including their championship winning season in 2013.

Clayton's teaching philosophy is that there is a positive approach to every situation and always applies positive reinforcement when he teaches. He uses various methods including short term practice techniques and various ways of giving information so that his students absorb the information more easily. No time is ever seen as a waste, as something new can always be learned.