Executive Director
Executive Director Sponsor – Diana Lee Langer Jones
Through direct and transparent communication with staff, board, musicians, donors and patrons, Dr. Amy Williams builds bridges between an organization’s internal community and that in which it lives. She has been a leader in expanding this reach in every community she has been involved with.
Prior to this move Dr. Williams served as Managing Director at Camerata Pacifica where she put in place the building blocks needed to create long term sustainability. From 2011 to 2018 as the Director of Artistic Administration and Education at the Santa Barbara Symphony she brought together community members, families and donors to build a sustainable music education program and expand the scope of the artistic direction.
General Manager
Dr. Sinisa Ciric serves as the General Manager for the Savannah Philharmonic and has been a dedicated member of the organization for 14 years, holding the title of Concertmaster Emeritus.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Ciric has built strong connections with the orchestra’s musicians, music directors, and administrative staff. In the past three years as Director of Artistic Operations, Dr. Ciric has worked to enhance the Savannah Philharmonic’s community presence through initiatives such as the Neighborhood Series, which have brought classical music to local audiences, fostering a broader appreciation for orchestral music. His dedication to professional growth is reflected in his completion of the Essentials of Orchestra Management program in 2023.
Dr. Ciric holds an undergraduate degree from the Academy of Arts at the University of Novi Sad, and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in violin and viola performance from the University of Georgia. Dr. Ciric is also committed to music education. Over five years, he successfully built and led the Strings Conservatory Program at the Savannah Classical Academy. Under his guidance, the program grew from 18 to over 150 students.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Ciric enjoys spending time with his family in Savannah, including his wife, Maja, and their children, Anastasia and Luka. His eldest son, Uros, is studying at Antonin Scalia Law School in Washington, DC, after graduating from Georgia State University.
Marketing Director
Meagan Chandler serves as the Marketing Director for the Savannah Philharmonic. Prior to this role, she worked at the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Lucas Theatre for the Arts.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Armstrong Atlantic State University before completing her Master of Arts in Slavic and East European Studies at The Ohio State University. A Savannah native, she is proud to continue serving her community through the arts.
Education Manager
Mark Spradley serves as Education Manager for the Savannah Philharmonic. He is also second trombone with the SavPhil, the Hilton Head Symphony, and the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.
After receiving his Bachelor of Music in performance from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, Mark’s music career has led him to perform with various orchestras across the southeast region, including the Atlanta Symphony, Waco Symphony, LaGrange Symphony, Albany Symphony, Beaufort Symphony, and the North Charleston POPS.
A proud Savannah native, Mark also enjoys teaching private music lessons, serves as conductor of the Savannah Trombone Choir, and is a faculty member at the Savannah Trombone Workshop.
Artistic Manager
Sharon Mays serves as the Artistic Manager for the Savannah Philharmonic. Additionally, she is a Choral Scholar at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and a Conductor of the Schola for the Latin Mass at Sacred Heart. Prior to these roles, she taught Latin and directed the choral program at The Habersham School.
Sharon received her Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music from Samford University and her Master of Music in Choral Studies from the University of Cambridge.
Development Associate/Executive Assistant
Chorus Master
Dr. Paul Thornock is Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Georgia, where he conducts the semi-professional Cathedral Choir, the fully professional Choral Scholars, and acts as Artistic Director for the Friends of Cathedral Music concert series.
Before coming to Savannah, Dr. Thornock was the director of music at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio and St. James Cathedral in Seattle. He has also taught at the University of Puget Sound, Capital University, and Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He holds degrees from the University of Puget Sound (BM), the University of Notre Dame (MM), and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA).
Librarian
Dr. Leah Dutton enjoys a versatile career as a professional cellist, orchestra librarian, and expert in musicians’ injuries. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University. Upon graduation, she moved to João Pessoa, Brazil, where she spent 5 years working as the principal cellist of the Paraíba Symphony Orchestra and completed her Master’s degree at the Federal University of Paraíba.
She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a DMA degree in cello performance and a concentration in injury rehabilitation for musicians.
