What makes a city memorable? Certainly, it is its green spaces, architecture, business community and non-profit sector. But, first and foremost, it is its people.

So when the Kresge Foundation thinks about selecting its next Eminent Artist, it takes into consideration what that person has brought to his or her city – about how that person has enriched the quality of life there.

In Detroit, the Foundation Thursday named musician and educator Patricia Terry-Ross its 2017 Kresge Eminent Artist.

As a harpist, vocalist and lifelong teacher, Terry-Ross’ virtuosity, passion and integrity have placed her center stage in a unique legacy of performance and music education that calls Detroit its birthplace and spans nearly a century, Foundation officials said in the announcement.

Terry-Ross, 70, joins eight other metropolitan-area artists who, since 2008, have received the award and $50,000 prize in recognition of professional achievements in their medium, contributions to the cultural community and dedication to Detroit and its residents. The award also includes the creation of an artist monograph which will be released at a public event later this year.

“When I received the news, I was shocked,” Terry-Ross said in a statement. “I have never lived my life seeking things out. Music has been the place where I have found discipline, integrity and joy. I was lucky enough to have a very loving, supportive family. My grandmother used to always say to me, ‘You were given a gift. But it’s not a gift unless you give it away.’ And I have always believed that if you just do honor to your gift, things will happen.”

Kresge’s Eminent Artist Award is a funded by Kresge’s Detroit Program, which uses grantmaking and social investing to promote long-term, equitable opportunity in the foundation’s hometown. The Kresge Eminent Artist Award, Kresge Artist Fellowships and Gilda Awards for emerging artists are administered by the Kresge Arts in Detroit office at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

“Patricia Terry-Ross is an unsung musical hero in Detroit, and it’s well time to recognize and sing her praises,” says Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson. “From her work on Motown sessions to decades of performances as principal harpist with the Michigan Opera Theatre, her sound has enriched our lives without most of us knowing her name. Moreover, she is the exemplar of artist-teachers in our community, those who both create at the highest level while nurturing the gifts of others to carry the torch forward.”

Terry-Ross has been principal harpist at the Michigan Opera Theatre for 40 years – virtually its entire existence – and has played on numerous occasions with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under three musical directors. She has performed with Luciano Pavarotti, Sammy Davis Jr. and Johnny Mathis, among others. Her characteristically warm and deep sound can be heard on many Motown tracks of the 1970s, including recordings by Marvin Gaye and the Temptations, not to mention a host of records since then.

She spent 31 years at the helm of Cass Technical High School’s Harp and Vocal Ensemble, a hallmark program of the legendary music education department that has spawned stellar talents for decades. Terry-Ross’ former students include teachers, performing professionals and notables in the world of classical instrumental music, opera and jazz.

Currently, she is an adjunct associate professor of harp, choral conducting and vocal music education at Wayne State University. She continues to perform with MOT and in her chamber music group, the Eason Trio. She has been a teacher, conductor and consultant for the University of California’s Young Musician Program, where she established a harp program in 2006, and she remains an adviser for the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra in Berkeley, Calif.

“From a young age, it was clear that Patricia Terry-Ross was gifted with a unique talent for music that could take her anywhere,” says College for Creative Studies President Richard L. Rogers. “Throughout her life, she has shared that gift generously, working with a dazzling array of iconic musicians, uplifting audiences in Detroit and far beyond, and guiding students – from Cass Tech to Wayne State – to develop and share their own gifts. CCS is honored to partner with The Kresge Foundation to highlight artists whose exceptional contributions are integral to the vibrancy of Detroit’s cultural environment. As an art and design college committed to relentless creativity as an educational vehicle, it is particularly heartwarming to celebrate 2017 Kresge Eminent Artist Patricia Terry-Ross, a musician whose talent and passion have taken her to countless stages and personal heights, while never detracting from her main stage role in the music education of Detroit students.”

Her colleagues said the recognition is richly deserved.

“I’ve known her for 56 years,” says revered musician, composer and arranger Paul Riser, who is known for his exceptional contributions to the Motown label and has since worked with such international recording stars as Luther Vandross, Carly Simon, Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly. “Pat’s always been my first call, going back to the Motown days. She’s my go-to harpist because she has perfect pitch and a touch that nobody else has — on one of the most difficult instruments to play, no less. She has a sparkle.” Among the Riser projects she added that sparkle to are Kem’s 2014 CD “Promise to Love” and songs for a gospel compilation featuring artist Derrick “Doc” Pearson, which is slated for release later this year.

Past winners are visual artist Charles McGee, the late jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, poet and playwright Bill Harris, poet and publisher Naomi Long Madgett, composer and Michigan Opera Theatre Artistic Director David DiChiera, photographer Bill Rauhauser, textile designer Ruth Adler Schnee and photographer and activist Leni Sinclair.

“Patricia is the longest serving member of the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra,” says DiChiera. “Her musicianship is impeccable and harp solos are beautifully delivered. Her wonderfully warm personality adds measurably to the warm comradery within the ensemble.”

The Kresge Eminent Artist award is an unrestricted grant and is given annually to an artist who has lived and worked in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties for a significant number of years. In addition to the cash prize, the award includes the creation of a monograph commemorating the artist’s life and work, which is distributed to the public for free.

The Kresge Foundation is a $3.6 billion private, national foundation that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development in Detroit. The Detroit Program acts proactively to engage and collaborate with other civic, nonprofit and business partners to promote long-term equitable opportunity in Kresge’s hometown.

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