Taylor Yozwiak

Biography

Taylor Yozwiak is an active percussionist, educator, and arranger/composer based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Taylor has a unique perspective on the marching arts that combines his background as a jazz drumset player with his passion for drum corps and rudimental technique. Taylor is currently the Director of Athletic Bands at Towson University where he directs the “World Famous” Towson University Marching Band and Pep Band.  

Taylor received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Massachusetts in 2013. While at UMass, Taylor had the privilege of studying with professors Ayano Kataoka and Thomas Hannum and was a proud member of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Taylor then completed his Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. During this time, Taylor studied with world-renowned percussionist Svet Stoyanov, directed the Miami “Frost Band of the Hour” Drumline, and performed throughout the rich musical scene in South Florida. 

After graduating from The University of Miami, Taylor moved to Orlando, Florida to work as the Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Percussion Studies at William R. Boone High School. During this time, Taylor maintained an active performance schedule throughout central and southern Florida while appearing with groups such as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Southwest Florida Symphony, and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, Taylor moved home to Maryland to begin his work at Towson University. 

Throughout his performing career, Taylor has won numerous awards for outstanding musicianship. These awards include the 2012 Vic Firth Scholarship and the Chancellor’s Talent in the Arts Scholarship from the University of Massachusetts. During his two years as the Timpanist for the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, Taylor won a World Championship with the Corps in 2011 and was awarded the Cadets Distinguished Service Award in 2012. In 2015, Taylor was a prize-winning soloist in the Atlanta Modern Snare Drum Competition. Since then, Taylor’s notable concerts include performing alongside Italian Pop Tri “Il Volo” at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and alongside Norwegian DJ Kygo at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

Taylor serves regularly as a percussion clinician, adjudicator, and educator throughout the country. Taylor has led and arranged for marching percussion programs at the high school and collegiate level and is actively involved with Drum Corps International. Taylor spent four years as a percussion staff member with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. During Taylor’s first year as a Cadet staff member, the Cadets percussion section won the Fred Sanford trophy for high percussion performance. Taylor is currently in his 10th year as a staff member with the Boston Crusaders where he serves as the Front Ensemble Manager. In 2025, the Boston Crusaders won the DCI World Championship. They also won the Fred Sanford trophy for high percussion performance with a perfect score. 

At Towson University, Taylor holds the rank of Professor of Practice. Taylor worked as the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands from 2017 - 2023, and was promoted to Director of Athletic Bands in 2024. In 2025, Taylor was honored to receive the “campus partner” award from Towson University for his dedication and collaboration with many different university departments. 

Taylor is endorsed by and proudly supports Pearl/Adams Percussion, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Drum Heads.