Biography
Savannah Norton is a New York-based conductor and bassoonist. Her recent ventures include two seasons at the Monteux School and Festival in addition to competitive conducting festivals and workshops such as The International Conducting Workshop and Festival, Denver Philharmonic International Conducting Workshop, and Chicago Masterclass and Workshop Series. During these experiences, Savannah worked directly with renowned conductors and pedagogues Hugh Wolff, Kenneth Kiesler, Markand Thakar, Arthur Fagan, Tiffany Lu, Ludovic Morlot, Michael Jinbo, Donald Schleicher, Diane Wittry, Lawrence Golan, and Farkhad Kuhudyev.
Under the direction of Dr. Paul McShee, Savannah earned her M.M. in Orchestral Conducting at Binghamton University, during which she served as the assistant conductor of the Binghamton University Symphony Orchestra and cover conductor for the Syracuse Youth Orchestra. Savannah completed her B.M. in Music History & Literature at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, studying conducting with Dr. Daniel Sommerville and Dr. John William Trotter. During her time at Wheaton, Savannah served as the Conducting Intern & Executive Assistant for the Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra and the student honors conductor of the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra and Wheaton College Concert Choir. Her closest mentor, Dr. Jonathan Saylor, has influenced her development as a bassoonist and music historian.
During her free time, Savannah enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her golden retriever named Brahms and african grey parrot named Abbado.