Claycomb was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, but grew up in Dallas, where she excelled in church and school choir, winning numerous youth competitions, such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing, U.I.L., and Texas All-State Choir. A graduate of Highland Park High School, Claycomb won a full scholarship to Southern Methodist University,[4] where she studied voice with Barbara Hill Moore, and completed two bachelor's degrees in vocal performance and foreign languages.[5] She studied with the late Norma Newton from 1994 until Newton's death in 2008.