Clay Zeller-Townson is the founder and Artistic Director of Ruckus. He is based between Vermont and New York City.

 

He plays with the leading period instrument ensembles in North America including: Tafelmusik, The Handel and Haydn Society, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Boston Baroque and Trinity Baroque Orchestra.

 

Since 2023, he has been faculty of Baroque Bassoon at New England Conservatory. He has given coachings on performance practice, masterclasses and lessons at UCLA, The Colburn School, The University of Missouri and The Eastman School of Music.  

 

Clay was born in Nova Scotia, raised in eastern North Carolina, and found his way to the baroque bassoon by way of the tenor saxophone. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and Performer’s Certificate from The Eastman School of Music, a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School and the Advanced Certificate in Music Education from CUNY-Brooklyn College.

 

Extremely passionate about rural arts education, Clay taught K-8 general music in the Stamford and Readsboro, Vermont public schools. From 2011-2016 he taught at The North Carolina Governor’s School as Instrumental Music Faculty.