Directors & Staff

Dr. Justin R. Stolarik

Director of Athletic Bands justin.stolarik@stonybrook.edu Biography 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).

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Mr. Michael Ayala

Drumline Instructor michael.ayala@stonybrook.edu Biography 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. Taylor Peterson

Graduate Teaching Assistant taylor.peterson@stonybrook.edu Biography Mr. Taylor Peterson serves as the Graduate Assistant for Athletic Bands at Stony Brook University where he is pursing his doctorate in trombone performance. Additionally, Mr. 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. John Leddy

Athletic Bands, Director Emeritus and Arranger john.leddy@stonybrook.edu Biography 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.