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Directors & Staff

  • Dr. Justin R. Stolarik
    Stolarik Headshot
    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).
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  • Mr. Michael Ayala
    Michael Ayala Headshot
    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. Taylor Peterson
    Peterson Headshot
    Graduate Teaching Assistanttaylor.peterson@stonybrook.eduBiography 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
    John Leddy Headshot
    Athletic Bands, Director Emeritus and Arrangerjohn.leddy@stonybrook.eduBiography 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. 

BAND Staff

     

Nick Manzella

Yajvin Dabbiru

Biomedical Engineering

'23

Nick Manzella

Samantha Lankowicz

Atmospheric Science and Geology

'24

Nick Manzella

Isabella Evans

Psychology

'24