Stanley Leonard achieved prominence in the music world during a distinguished 38-year career as Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He performed internationally with the symphony in concerts, television productions, and over 50 recordings. As a solo artist, he premiered several major new works for solo timpani and orchestra with the PSO. Throughout his career, Leonard has received acclaim from colleagues, conductors and critics. Former Music Director of the PSO, Andre Previn, wrote, "He is not only a virtuoso timpanist, but also a consummate musician."

His extensive compositions for percussion and other musical mediums are published in the United States and Europe and are performed around the world. He is author of Pedal Technique for the Timpani, a well-known method book that is unique in its field. He can be heard performing and directing his compositions for percussion on the CD "Canticle" distributed by Ludwig Music.

He has presented master classes at leading conservatories and universities in the United States and abroad, and has given presentations at international conventions of the Percussive Arts Society (PASIC). He served for many years as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Duquesne University and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His former students are actively involved in major symphony orchestras, educational institutions, and the music business.