Communication Strategist Staff Sgt. Clayton Heath of Rawlings, Maryland, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2026.
Heath began his musical training on trombone at age 10. After graduating from Fort Hill High School in 2012, he attended Alderson-Broaddus College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2016. He earned a master’s degree in music performance from Duquesne University in 2018, where he also began his communications training in the Mary Pappert School of Music Office of Music Engagement, Events, and Marketing. Heath earned his doctorate in trombone performance from West Virginia University in 2026. His primary instructors include Brian Plitnik, Timothy DeWitt at Alderson-Broaddus, Murray Crewe, Jeff Dee and Steve Groves at Duquesne, and Hakeem Bilal and Keith Jackson at West Virginia.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Heath was the program manager for UniSound where he managed operations, events and marketing for a coalition of youth music organizations. As a freelance musician, he has performed on tenor and bass trombone with numerous organizations across the country, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and has instructed low brass instruments for K-12 and collegiate programs. He continues to serve as the media manager for DC Trombone Workshop, a week-long summer intensive for collegiate and early career trombonists.
As a Communication Strategist, Heath produces visual and written content for Marine Band digital platforms and represents “The President’s Own” at concerts and national conventions.