Clayton Hancock is a violinist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and a dedicated violin teacher serving students on Milwaukee's East Side. A lifelong Suzuki student, Mr. Hancock began Suzuki violin lessons at age four with his father and pursued Suzuki teacher training with Susan McDonald. He is passionate about the Suzuki Method and is committed to helping students develop excellent technique, beautiful tone, confidence, and a lifelong love of music in a nurturing environment with high standards.

 

As an educator, Mr. Hancock has led educational residencies with the Virginia Arts Festival and PianoArts, presented masterclasses for the Milwaukee High School of the Arts and the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts, and coached students for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestras, New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Memphis Youth Symphony Program, Falls Baptist School of Music, Wauwatosa East High School, Brookfield East High School, Homestead High School, and Shorewood High School.

 

An active performer, Mr. Hancock joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2024 after earning his Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory, where he studied with Ayano Ninomiya and was mentored by members of the Borromeo String Quartet. He has appeared as a soloist in the United States, France, and Germany and has performed with ensembles including the Chicago Symphony, Boston Pops Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Arizona MusicFest Orchestra. Mr. Hancock welcomes students of all ages and abilities and looks forward to partnering with families as they begin or continue their violin journey.