Clay Whittington is a tenor, conductor, and pianist from eastern North Carolina (the vinegar-based BBQ side). His career has been met with success in both popular and cultivated genres of music. Currently residing in Tucson, Arizona, Clay serves as the Alternative Music Leader and Interim Traditional Music Leader for Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
Clay Whittington has been praised for his musical artistry and showmanship in both popular and cultivated genres. As a vocalist and entertainer, his recent work includes performances with the Helios Ensemble, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, East Carolina University Opera Theater and Carnival Cruise Line. He currently serves as Alternative Music Leader and Interim Traditional Music Leader at Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Tucson, Arizona.
Clay has served as a church musician in the United Methodist and Episcopal denominations for much of the last two decades. In this role, he has conducted choral and instrumental ensembles in North Carolina, California, and Arizona. Outside of regular worship services, he has lead music and worship at the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Diocesan Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, and a Revival for the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, featuring Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry.
From 2016 to 2018, Clay performed on nine ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, earning Carnival Entertainment’s Top Performer status prior to his departure.
Clay graduated magna cum laude from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Sacred Music (Vocal/Choral). During his undergraduate studies, Clay performed with East Carolina University Opera Theatre and the internationally renowned East Carolina University Chamber Singers. He was inducted into the Beta Zeta Chapter of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Clay is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.