Clayton Hancock is a violinist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and an active performer throughout the United States. As a soloist, he has appeared in the United States, France, and Germany, and made his professional solo debut with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performing works by Piazzolla and Vivaldi.

 

A passionate chamber musician, Clayton studied extensively with members of the Borromeo String Quartet while earning his Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory. During his final year at NEC, his string quartet won the Honors Ensemble Competition and performed throughout New England, including appearances in Jordan Hall and the Shalin Liu Performance Center.

 

Before joining the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2024, Clayton held leadership positions with the NEC Symphony, NEC Philharmonia, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, Arizona MusicFest Festival orchestra, and has appeared at leading summer festivals including the Heifetz International Music Institute, Aspen Music Festival, and Meadowmount School of Music.

 

Clayton began his violin studies at age four with his father, Steven Hancock, before continuing his training with Christina Castelli at the New Jersey Academy of Music. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Ayano Ninomiya. Additional influential mentors include Joy Brown Wiener and Frank Almond.

 

Outside of music, Clayton enjoys woodworking, exploring the outdoors, restoring his grandfather's 1965 Mustang, and serving in his local church.