Aaron Stickley is currently the Assistant Director of Bands at The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, TX. Originally from Kingsport, TN, Stickley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
The Woodlands High School Marching Band has been a consistent UIL State Finalist, Bands of America Regional Champion, silver medalist at the 2022 and 2023 Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional, and recently received 5th place at 2023 Bands of America Grand Nationals under his direction. The 2024 Woodlands High School Symphonic Winds was named a citation winner of The Foundation for Music Education Citation of Excellence. Before his time at The Woodlands High School, Stickley held band director positions at Dickinson High School (TX), Lamar High School (TX), and Paragould High School (AR). During his time at Paragould, the band program received the 2016 Arkansas Class AAAA State Marching Championship, the 2017 All-State Honor Band, and the 2017 National Band Association Blue Ribbon Award presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Stickley’s drum corps experience includes performing with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps (2012) and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (2014) on lead baritone and trumpet. Before his time at the Santa Clara Vanguard (2023), Stickley worked on the brass staff for Genesis (2019) and the Madison Scouts (2022 and 2023).
Stickley is an active visual designer/choreographer and has designed for band programs in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, and Texas. His professional affiliations include the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Educators Association. He currently resides in The Woodlands, TX with his two cats, Aria and Hazel.