SAVANNAH, GA – The Savannah Philharmonic is thrilled to announce the addition of five
exceptional musicians to its orchestra, just in time for the highly anticipated 2024-2025 season.
The new musicians include Maya Johnson, Xiaodi Liu, Caitlyn Dillard, Elizabeth Crafton, and
Samantha Zelnik. These accomplished artists bring a wealth of experience and passion to the
Philharmonic, further enriching the ensemble’s sound and its connection to the Savannah
community.
Maya Johnson – Associate Concertmaster, Violin
Maya Johnson is a violinist from Atlanta, Georgia and is pursuing a Master of Musical Arts at the
Yale School of Music. She is a recent graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where she
earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree. She has served in many leadership roles with the CIM
orchestra, including concertmaster under Leonard Slatkin at Severance Hall. She has also
performed with Apollo’s Fire and the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and played in masterclasses for
the Emerson String Quartet, Sergey Ostrovsky, and Joseph Silverstein. As a soloist she has
performed with the Augusta Symphony and Georgia Philharmonic and has most recently won
second prize at the International Mozart Competition Vienna. She is an alumnus of the New
York String Orchestra Seminar, the Heifetz Institute, and Keshet Eilon. Major teachers include
Ilya Kaler, Olga Dubossarskaya Kaler, Noriko Clift, Aaron Rosand, and Christina Khimm.
Xiaodi Liu – Principal, Oboe
Xiaodi Liu was recently named Principal Oboe of the Savannah Philharmonic (GA). She has held
positions with the Atlanta Symphony, Houston Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, and the
Symphony of Southeast Texas. In addition, she has performed as Guest Principal with the
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Phoenix Symphony and has also
appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic,
and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. She has performed at the Spoleto, Colorado College, and
Aspen Music Festivals. Xiaodi studied at Rice University, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Royal
Northern College of Music.
Caitlyn Dillard – Violin
Caitlyn Dillard, violin, is an active solo, chamber, symphonic, recording, and teaching artist. She
hails from outside Washington D.C., where she performed at the Kennedy Center, the National
Theatre, and at a private dinner for the U.S. Supreme Court Justices. She is a graduate of the
distinguished McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University and played for the
Emmy-winning PBS program A Night of Georgia Music while a student. She made her
international debut in the summer of 2023 in Italy at the Rome Chamber Music Festival. Caitlyn
has held a concertmaster position in the American Youth Philharmonic and the Macon-Mercer
Symphony Orchestra, and she performs regularly with orchestras throughout the southeast.
Caitlyn maintains a vibrant private teaching studio and helps develop the elementary strings
program at a private school in Macon, GA.
Elizabeth Crafton – Principal, French Horn
Elizabeth Crafton, from Savannah Georgia, is an undergraduate student at the Curtis
Institute of Music and currently studies with Jennifer Montone and Jeffery Lang. Elizabeth has
performed with many orchestras and summer music festivals including the Curtis Symphony
Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, and the National Repertory Orchestra.
Samantha Zelnik – Oboe
Originally from Galloway, Ohio, Samantha Zelnik is currently the oboe fellow in the Gulf Coast
Symphony Orchestra, in Fort Myers, Florida, serving as principal oboist. She earned her
Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance degree from The Ohio State University, where she
graduated magna cum laude. As a soloist, she performed the Haydn Oboe Concerto after being
named a winner in The Ohio State Symphony Orchestra concerto competition. She has
performed with numerous orchestras including the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Firelands
Symphony Orchestra, Naples Camerata, and is a substitute musician with the New World
Symphony. Samantha’s summers have been spent at the Eastern Music Festival, Rocky Ridge
Music Festival, and Marrowstone Music Festival. Outside the US, she performed at the
International Double Reed Society conference in Granada, Spain. Her major teachers include
Robert Sorton and Nick Stovall.
“We are delighted to welcome these talented musicians to our Philharmonic family,” said Amy
Williams, Executive Director. “Each brings unique talents and experiences that will not only
enhance our performances but also resonate deeply with our audiences. Their addition marks a
thrilling new chapter for our orchestra, and I look forward to the incredible music we’ll create
together this season.”
The addition of these five outstanding musicians is a testament to the Savannah Philharmonic’s
commitment to artistic excellence and cultural enrichment. They will make their debut on stage
at the 16th season opener, “Romantic Rachmaninoff”, on August 24, 2024, at the Lucas Theatre
for the Arts. The Savannah Philharmonic invites the community to welcome these new artists
and join for a season of unforgettable musical experiences. Tickets for the 2024-2025 season are
available now.
For more information, please visit www.savannahphilharmonic.org.
About The Savannah Philharmonic:
The Savannah Philharmonic, a nonprofit 501©(3), is a community-focused arts organization
which strives to present concert performances and music education of the highest caliber
throughout the southeast. Composed of a professional orchestra and community chorus, and
led by the masterful baton of Keitaro Harada, the SavPhil performs a vast range of works from
composers of the past and present, and in all genres from classical to contemporary. The
organization focuses on fostering community and inspiring a true appreciation of music through
equitable access to performances and education programs. To learn more visit
savannahphilharmonic.org.