Nigel Clayton studied under Stephen Savage and Angus Morrison at the Royal College of Music in London, where he won prizes in almost every category of piano performance and was awarded for his bachelor degree with the annual college prize.

During his time in London, the interest of chamber and contemporary music evokes which was reinforced by several winnings at competitions. Since then, his worldwide travelling began and led him to India, Japan Iceland and USA.

Clayton performed as a soloist on British luxury cruise liners such as SS Canberra and Arcadia. He played the concerts of Beethoven, Grieg, Schumann and many others. Furthermore, he shone as a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

He worked with artists such as Gina McCormack, Elizabeth Anderson, Michael Cox, Silvia Marcovici and Bryan Rayner Cook.

His twenty year partnership with violinist Beth Spendlove has resulted more than one hundred recitals. Clayton used to be an official piano accompanist at the International Tibor Varga Competition in Switzerland.

Recently, he has a professorship at the Royal College of Music in London and in Switzerland and is principal teacher for piano at the North East of Scotland Music School.