Mel Whitehead
Chorusmaster
A native of California, Mel earned his BM in Vocal Performance from California State Fullerton and his Masters in Vocal Performance from University of Southern California. After singing professionally for 15 years, he settled in Georgia with his wife Sally, and began teaching. In 2006, he earned a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through the Arts from Lesley University, and in 2017, his EdS in Educational Leadership from Georgia College. He is currently the Performing Arts Supervisor for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.
Marsha Krantz
Librarian
Marsha recently relocated to Savannah from Indianapolis, IN where she was a frequent violin and viola sub with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the recording studios. She has an M.M. in Violin Performance and also loves to teach. In addition to playing she was the Music Librarian for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for 8 years and was delighted to take the position when it became available with the Savannah Philharmonic.
Mike Daly
Orchestra Personnel Manager, Principal French Horn
Michael Daly has played Principal Horn with the Savannah Philharmonic since its inception in 2008. In 2015, he was appointed Principal Horn with the Augusta Symphony. Mr Daly frequently performs with the Charleston Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Greenville Symphony Orchestra and the Hilton Head Symphony. His summers are spent as Second Horn of the Des Moines Metro Opera.
Past engagements have included a four year tour with the Broadway musical Les Misérables, and tours of Taiwan and China with the Hollywood Concert Orchestra. Michael holds degrees from Indiana University and Wichita State University and has studied with Nicholas Smith, Michael Hatfield and David Krehbiel.
Brad Behr
Education & Community Initiatives Manager
Dr. Brad Behr is a professional bassoonist and currently serves as the Education and Community Initiatives Manager for the Savannah Philharmonic. Prior to joining the SavPhil, he held a similar role as the Director of Youth Programs and Community Engagement for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. An active performer, Brad currently performs with the Savannah Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and other fine ensembles in the region.
Before joining the team at the SavPhil, Brad frequently performed with the Jacksonville Symphony and was a faculty member at the University of North Florida’s School of Music. In addition to directing the Applied Bassoon studio at UNF, he instructed courses in Music Education, World Music, Music Literature, and Music Pedagogy.
Katherine Poss
Development Director
With over a decade of non-profit management in Savannah, Katherine brings with her an understanding of fundraising, event planning and production, grant-writing, communications, marketing and strategy to the Savannah Philharmonic. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Katherine completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Furman University where she was a member of the symphony and chamber orchestras as a cellist. She has served as the executive director of the Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens and of Mountainfilm on Tour Savannah in addition to planning numerous events for Historic Savannah Foundation. Katherine has a deep love of the community, and of music, and is especially passionate about inspiring Savannah’s youth to develop an appreciation of the arts.
