Josh is a freelance hornist and private teacher in the DFW area. He has regularly helped students achieve a placement in the Texas all state bands and orchestras since 2002. Josh attended the University of Oklahoma where he studied with Dr. Eldon Matlick and then Texas Christian University with Alton Adkins. When he’s not at the shop or teaching, Josh tries to be on the mountain bike trail. Do you need to waste some time? Ask Josh about the DFW trails and his bike(s).

Karen Houghton has over forty years of experience as a horn instructor in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, coaching over a hundred students to placements in Texas All-State Bands/Orchestras. She holds a bachelor's in music performance from California State University, Long Beach, and has played in notable orchestras such as the Long Beach Symphony and Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. Karen is an owner of Houghton Horns.

Kathryn Houghton, an oboist from Memphis, Tennessee, began her musical journey on violin before switching to oboe at age twelve. After studying at the Interlochen Arts Academy and earning her bachelor's from the Eastman School of Music under Richard Killmer, she completed further studies at Southern Methodist University with Erin Hannigan. Kathryn has played with several orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and Charleston Symphony. She also managed a private oboe studio in Dallas and has overseen payroll and school bids at Houghton Horns since 2007.

Mark Houghton, a hornist with the Grammy Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra since 2014, has previously held principal positions with the Harrisburg, Phoenix, and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras. A winner of national solo competitions, he has performed with various esteemed orchestras and festivals. Houghton earned his Bachelor's degree and Performer's Certificate at the Eastman School of Music. An active educator, he teaches at Duquesne University and runs masterclasses nationwide. Additionally, as an owner of Houghton Horns, he focuses on artistic ambassadorship, product development, and strategic planning.

Janet B. Nye is the co-author of “Recipe For Success: A balanced curriculum for young horn players”. She has been a private instructor in the DFW area for over twenty years. Janet is passionate about horn pedagogy and has presented many clinics at band conferences, universities, and horn events around the United States. In addition to freelancing in the DFW area, Janet has played in the Waco Symphony and Irving Symphony for over twenty years. She has toured for seven summers throughout Germany with Eurobrass. Originally from the Appalachian mountains in Abingdon, Virginia, Janet made her way to Texas to study at Baylor University, where she received M.M. in Horn Performance. She received her B.M.E from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Kyle Roberts obtained his Master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Trombone Performance and holds a Bachelor’s in Music education from the University of Central Arkansas. He has performed at the International Trombone Festival with the UNT and UCA trombone choirs and placed in competitions at the American Trombone Workshop and International Women's Brass Conference. Kyle currently teaches and performs in the DFW area and lives in Denton with his wife Ashley.

Dr. Derek J. Wright, a hornist in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, plays 3rd horn with the award-winning Dallas Winds and in the West Texas Symphony. He has performed with several major orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and the Dallas Symphony. Dr. Wright is also a co-owner of Houghton Horns. He has contributed to the design of horns and mouthpieces for the Verus brand and frequently speaks on instrument design and acoustics at various educational institutions.

Kacie Wright earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and history from the University of Texas at Arlington. Before coming to work at Houghton Horns as the business manager, she worked in public schools for over a decade, first teaching English to students in Japan, then teaching Japanese to students in the U.S. Her passions include podcasts, cooking, and linguistics.

Benjamin Allen is a writer, podcaster, and French horn restoration artist from North Texas with over fifteen years of repair experience. Trained and mentored by Dennis Houghton, Benjamin has worked with several instrument repair shops, including the largest musical instrument repair facility in the United States. Benjamin specializes in repairing all brass instruments, and is an expert at magnetic dent removal. On occasion, he also performs minor woodwind adjustments on saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. Mr. Allen lives with his wife in Fort Worth and hosts the Apocalypse Theater Podcast.

Dennis Houghton, trained in horn performance at California State University and HFM Detmold, Germany, has played as Co-Principal horn with the Orquesta Sinfonica del Valle and is currently 4th horn in the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. Renowned for blending traditional brass craftsmanship with modern technology, Dennis has extensive experience in instrument repair and customization. His work and consultations have served musicians and major music brands globally for over thirty years. He co-owns Houghton Horns, where he is the Head Craftsman.

Natalie Miller is a horn performer and educator, holding a Master’s degree in Horn Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Performance from the Frost School of Music, where she excelled as a member of the Stamps Woodwind Quintet. She has performed with esteemed ensembles including the Colorado Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, and Palm Beach Symphony. Natalie is now expanding her expertise in music to instrument repair, learning from the incredible repair team at Houghton Horns. 

Christopher Reddick is known as “The Valve Whisperer”. A skilled craftsman, Christopher specializes in the maintenance and restoration of rotary valves. He also does bell conversions, refits bearings, removes dents, cleans horns and makes people laugh on a regular basis. Christopher’s years of experience in the shop and his love of the horn make him a valuable member of the Houghton Horns team.

Rex is Houghton Horns' Customer Service Manager and CCO (Chief Cuddles Officer)