SAVANNAH, GA – The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is entering its next chapter with a strengthened leadership team, welcoming new staff members and recognizing the experience and dedication of longtime employees through a series of internal promotions.
The expanded team reflects Savannah Music Festival’s continued growth and organizational stability as the nonprofit builds on its legacy of presenting exceptional music and expanding access to meaningful arts experiences throughout the community. By combining strategic new hires with well-earned promotions from within, SMF is investing in the people who help drive its year-round programming, education initiatives, community engagement and internationally recognized annual festival.
“Savannah Music Festival is transforming for its next chapter, strengthening its leadership team through a combination of strategic new hires and well-earned internal promotions that reflect the organization’s commitment to investing in its people and its future,” said Sinisa Ciric, executive director of the Savannah Music Festival. “I could not be more excited about the depth of talent, experience and passion this team brings to SMF. These changes position us to build on everything we have accomplished together while creating even greater opportunities for artists, audiences, students and our entire community. We are energized about what is ahead and thrilled to have this incredible team helping us move the organization forward.”
Among the internal promotions are three longtime members of the Savannah Music Festival team whose collective experience spans more than three decades. Kat Clark, a 10-year SMF veteran, has been promoted to director of development; Jenny Woodruff, who has been with SMF for 14 years, has been promoted to director of leadership giving; and Abbey M. Matye, an eight-year SMF veteran, has been promoted to operations manager.
Together, these promotions recognize the institutional knowledge and leadership that longtime SMF staff members bring to the organization while strengthening key areas of the Festival’s operations and fundraising efforts.
SMF has also welcomed several new team members whose professional experience and community connections will support the organization’s continued momentum. Lee Heidel has joined the organization as marketing manager, Lane Huerta as education manager and Jaron McCarr as program director of the SMF Jazz Academy. In addition, Aubrie Dale Racies has been promoted to artist relations and production associate, while Laiken Williams has assumed the role of donor database specialist and executive office assistant.
The growth of the SMF team comes as the organization continues to expand its impact beyond its annual spring festival. In addition to producing one of the world’s most distinctive multi-genre music festivals, SMF presents year-round music education, community engagement and broadcast initiatives that connect artists and audiences across Savannah and beyond.
“Every person joining or stepping into a new role at SMF brings something unique to our organization,” Ciric said. “Whether they are longtime members of our team taking on new leadership responsibilities or new colleagues bringing fresh perspectives and expertise, they are all part of the same vision: to make Savannah Music Festival stronger, more accessible and more impactful for years to come.”
The Savannah Music Festival is a leading nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to presenting exceptional live music that entertains, educates, inspires and unites communities. In addition to year-round music education, community engagement and broadcast initiatives, Savannah Music Festival produces one of the most distinctive multi-genre music festivals in the world. Hailed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as “one of the gleaming musical treasures of the Southeast” and by the Toronto Star as “one of North America’s most distinctive musical events,” the annual springtime festival has featured thousands of artists from across the globe since its founding in 1989. For more information on the Savannah Music Festival, please visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.
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