Who are we?

Jonathan is a freelance trumpet player based in the DFW area, and our resident brass “gearhead”. He has specialized in music retail and sales for nearly 10 years, starting from a humble garage, to concierge and rental services, into serving top school districts and professional musicians. With a North Texas background, international teaching experience, and performance history spanning French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, and nearly every brand to rare model in his playing rotation, Jonathan has the expertise to help any musician find the right fit. If he’s not around, chances are he’s at a gig or tinkering on a project. Want to learn more about your instrument or family heirloom? Jonathan’s your guy!

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).

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.

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 an M.M. in Horn Performance. She received her B.M.E. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Derek J. Wright is a hornist based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, performing as Third Horn with the award-winning Dallas Winds and Section Horn with the West Texas Symphony and McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, and Amarillo Symphony, where he previously served as Fourth Horn.

In addition to his performing career, Dr. Wright is Co-Owner of Houghton Horns, where he contributes to the design of Verus Brass instruments and presents on horn design and acoustics at universities and conferences. He also produces educational content for the Houghton Horns YouTube channel.

Dr. Wright holds degrees from Arizona State University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Illinois, and his principal teachers include William VerMeulen, David Heyde, John Ericson, Herbert Winslow, and Kazimierz Machala.

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.