Cathy Clayton
Associate Professor (Lecturer), Musicology and Harp
DMA University of Arizona
MA University of Utah
BS University of Utah
Email
Phone: 801-699-3446
Office: DGH 158
Faculty Page
Biography
Cathy Clayton obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts in Harp Performance from the University of Arizona. She holds a Master’s degree in Musicology and Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Biology from the University of Utah. She also obtained her Registered Respiratory Therapy degree from Weber State University. During her years of graduate study, Dr. Clayton researched Welsh harp music and obtained a Doctoral Minor in Ethnomusicology. She currently teaches Harp Performance, World Music, and Music History at the University of Utah.
Dr. Clayton presented a paper on her research and Master’s thesis, The Composer John Parry and His “Collection of Welsh English, & Scotch Airs” (1761), at the Society for Ethnomusicology Regional Conference in March 2006. Her research on Welsh harpists continued with her doctoral dissertation, The Importance of Harpist John Thomas as a Welsh Nationalistic Composer and his Impact on the Development of Virtuosic Harp Repertoire.
Dr. Clayton has studied with harpists throughout the United States, including Dr. Carrol McLaughlin (University of Arizona), Alice Chalifoux (Salzedo School), and Eileen Malone (Eastman School of Music). She co-founded the Arizona Harp Experience Youth Summer Camp with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, which has been going strong since 2003. She has taught private students for over fifteen years, and her students have competed in Regional and National competitions.
Dr. Clayton has toured throughout Europe, performing with HarpFusion, the largest touring harp ensemble in the United States. She has arranged and recorded several works for harp ensemble, some of which can be heard on HarpFusion recordings. She also recorded works on the CD Fragile Tears, Stories & Guidance for Youth on the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions (2005). She has performed extensively for the Utah Governor’s Mansion, the United States Olympic Committee, and currently performs throughout Utah.
Courses Taught
- Harp - Private Lessons
- Introduction to Music
- Elements of Music
- Survey of Jazz
- World Music
- Chamber Music
- Introduction to Music Theory