Clinton graduated from Carlton Comprehensive High School (in 2000) six months early to accommodate the time needed for music study. This new passion for jazz and improvisation lead him to the instruction of Bob Carins at Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta (2000/2001). Although Clinton recieved highest honors, he decided to take this new knowledge to the road. For the next year he toured with fiddle and step-dance sensation April Verch, combining his Old time and Bluegrass roots with jazz theory, harmony and improvisation.