Stacey Houghton received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Education from Valdosta State University, where he studied saxophone and jazz improvisation with Bob Greenhaw. He obtained a Master's degree in Performance from the University of South Carolina, studying saxophone with Roger Pemberton, jazz improvisation with John Serry, clarinet with Doug Graham, and flute with Constance Lane. He has pursued further studies in Music Education from Georgia State University.

Mr. Houghton directs the jazz studies program at Clayton State University where he teaches jazz theory, jazz history, improvisation, jazz combo, large jazz ensemble, saxophone, and clarinet. He has been a woodwind instructor (saxophone, clarinet, flute, recorder) and clinician since 1980. He has been active as a free-lance musician in the Atlanta area since 1992, and has performed with such notable artists as Diane Schuur, Dr. John, Marian McPartland, and Ray McKinley. He frequently composes and arranges for local ensembles as well as his own ensembles at Clayton State. Mr. Houghton also serves as the saxophone instructor at Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston, and he has been on the faculty of the Georgia Academy of Music since 1997. 

As a music instructor, Mr. Houghton believes that a large part of his responsibility is to inspire his students through frequent demonstrations on his instruments. A music teacher should be a model to his students to the point that they develop a natural love of music and a desire to reach higher levels of proficiency on their own. All students should be strongly encouraged to maintain good daily practice habits and develop a strong discipline for practice.