Faculty & Staff

Dr. Justin R. Stolarik

Director of Bandsjustin . stolarik @stonybrook.eduBiography Dr. Justin R. Stolarik serves as Director of Bands at Stony Brook University, and is an active freelance musician and conductor in New York City. Prior to Stony Brook, he served as Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Oklahoma, and as Assistant Director of Bands at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Henderson State University (Arkansas). Click below for the full bio.

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Dr. Taylor Peterson

Interim Assistant Director of Bandstaylor . peterson @stonybrook.eduBiography Dr. Taylor Peterson serves as Interim Assistant Director of Bands at Stony Brook University where he recently completed his doctorate in trombone performance. Additionally, Dr. Peterson is a freelance trombonist and teacher in New York City. He received his Bachelor of Music at North Dakota State University, where he was a member of the Gold Star Marching Band.
Mr. Michael Ayala

Drumline Instructormichael . ayala @stonybrook.eduBiography Mr. Mike Ayala currently serves as Drumline Instructor for the Spirit of Stony Brook. He was previously a member of the Spirit of Stony Brook while attending Stony Brook University as an undergraduate. He served as the Drumline Instructor prior to 2015, before returning to the program again in 2018.
Mr. John Leddy

Director of Athletic Bands EmeritusBiography John Leddy arrived at Stony Brook University in 2006 and is the Founding Director of The Spirit of Stony Brook. Prior to that, he taught music in the Connetquot school district for 33 years where he directed concert band, jazz ensemble, and marching band at all levels.