When Dr. Andrey Stolyarov ’12 reflects on his path from a young immigrant in Brooklyn to an American conductor, composer, educator, and singer, he traces its beginnings to family and music.
“I’m lucky to have a musical family,” he said. “I’ve been singing and playing instruments for as long as I can remember because both my parents are quite musical.”
Born in the former Soviet Union in 1990, Stolyarov moved to the United States in 1994. After ten years in Brooklyn and later high school in New Jersey, he arrived at Lehigh University planning to double-major in astronomy and music.
“Lehigh was supportive of students who wished to pursue multiple paths of study,” he said. “After my first year, it became clear that my heart and skills belonged to music, so I dropped the astronomy work.”
Stolyarov graduated summa cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, named a Presidential Scholar, and served as Manager of Lehigh University Choral Arts. He also participated in the Lehigh Melismatics and the Wind Ensemble. He describes Lehigh Choral Arts as “my family away from home.”
He credits Lehigh with helping him discover his artistic direction. He cites mentors—Paul Salerni, Steven Sametz, Nadine Sine, David Diggs, and Eugene Albulescu—as significant influences and maintains close relationships with many of them.
After graduating in 2012, Stolyarov continued his education at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, earning his Master of Music in composition (2015) and Doctor of Musical Arts in composition (2018). His dissertation, Symphony No. 1 Talisman, is a four-movement orchestral work based on themes written by his father, Viktor Stolyarov. His master’s thesis, …this yearning for the Wild, sets texts from Henry David Thoreau’s Walking for chorus, orchestra, and baritone solo.
Stolyarov now lives in Amston, Conn., with his wife and daughter and works across several areas of music. He is an adjunct professor at the Hartt School, where he received the 2022–2023 Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award and at CT State Capital Community College.
As a composer, his choral works have been featured through commissions, festivals, and competitions. Recent collaborations include the Charter Oak Choral Festival, the Choral Arts Society of New Jersey, Quintessence-ABQ, CONCORA, the Barnard College Chamber Choir, and the Evergreen Family Theatre. In summer 2024, he released his first album of choral music, A Sonic Tapestry, which he conducted, recorded, and produced.
His performance career is equally active. Stolyarov is Minister of Music at Gilead Congregational Church in Hebron, Conn., conducts the Hebron Community Chorus, sings with the chamber choirs Voce and CONCORA, and maintains a private vocal studio. He also maintains an actively growing presence on YouTube as an educator and composer.
He values the variety within his work. “Some days I teach, some days I write, other days I sing, play piano and organ, or conduct.”
Outside of music, he tends to his property, runs, plays PC games, and enjoys Magic: The Gathering.
Stolyarov speaks about Lehigh with appreciation. He describes his undergraduate years as a period of musical growth and academic rigor, supported by faculty who shaped his development. Lehigh Choral Arts was central to his experience. Lehigh’s flexibility allowed him to begin with two majors before committing to music. He believes its openness to interdisciplinary exploration and strong resources played a key role in his development.
Though his career now spans teaching, conducting, composing, and performing, he remains connected to Lehigh, returning for concerts and events.
Stolyarov recommends Lehigh to prospective students, calling it “a supportive environment that holds its students to a high level and provides resources for them to achieve and exceed their goals.”
Spotlight Recipient
Andrey Stolyarov '12
Adjunct Professor, The Hartt School