In 1990, Ms. Savitch founded the Gotham Chamber Orchestra (GCO). From 1990 to 1998, the GCO established itself as one of New York City's outstanding professional chamber orchestras. During these years, Ms. Savitch gained her reputation as a champion of American composers, performing numerous premieres and revivals of American works. The Brooklyn Free Press hailed the GCO's performances as "a tour de force".

Ms. Savitch has also appeared as guest conductor of the Majestic Brass Quintet and Ensemble, and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Division III Festival Orchestra.

Before her transition to the podium, Ms. Savitch studied classical guitar with Christopher Parkening and Vicente Gomez, and toured successfully through the West Coast. After receiving degrees from Columbia University and the Aaron Copland School of Music (Queens College) and studying conducting with Harold Faberman and Maurice Peress, Ms. Savitch worked as a freelance conductor. In 1994, her outstanding conducting was honored when she was specially selected to conduct in concert with the Chautauqua Institute Festival Orchestra.

Ms. Savitch is Director of the Music Partners Program at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, which provides hands-on musical training to over 2,000 New York City school children.

Ms. Savitch lives in Brooklyn with her husband, composer Howard Lew, and their daughter Abigail.

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