Get to know the artistic staff of the Eastern Maryland Youth Orchestra.

John Leupold, Managing Director

John Leupold is an Annapolis, MD based composer and percussionist whose music combines a wide variety of influences including popular music and world music with a deep grounding in classical forms and traditions. His music often centers on rhythm and utilizes elements of minimalist textures.

While often not explicitly stated, Leupold’s works often communicate a narrative left up to the listener to decipher. His works have been performed by such groups as Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the Left Bank Quartet, and Capital Reeds. Leupold’s first CD will be released by PARMA records in early 2016.

John received undergraduate and masters degrees in percussion performance and music theory/composition from Appalachian State University. He completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts under the instruction of Dr. James Fry and the University of Maryland, College Park. Leupold is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Washington College in Chestertown, MD where he teaching music theory, composition, percussion, and directs Steel Revolution, the Washington College Steel Band.

Zach Stachowski, Artistic Director

Zack Stachowski, violinist, maintains an active career performing in orchestral, chamber and solo capacities throughout the United States. While a student of Davis Brooks at Butler Univeristy (Indianapolis), Zack served as concertmaster of the Butler Symphony Orchestra, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and the New Millennium Philharmonic. While in Indianapolis, Zack soloed with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra performing Ginastera’s Pampeana No. 1 with Stanley DeRusha conducting.  

In 2011, Zack completed his M.M. in violin performance from the University of Maryland after studying with James Stern. Since then Zack has led workshops in ensemble and string technique at Loyola University (Baltimore), St. Catherine University (St. Paul, MN), Broadneck High School (Annapolis) and various other cities. An active recording artist and composer, Zack has worked extensively with GIA Publications, the largest liturgical music recording label in the United States.  

Internationally, Zack has directed choirs and performed as a violinist in Mexico and Ireland. Most recently, Zack performed as principal second violinist with the Anne Arundel Symphony Orchestra on their tour to Vienna and Salzburg. 

Currently Zack resides in Annapolis where he is the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Andrew By The Bay Church. He is the artistic director of the St. Andrew By The Bay Chamber Music Series and maintains and full private studio of violin, viola, piano and guitar students.