Massachusetts harpist Judith “Judy” Ross passed away on Sept. 27 at the age of 83. She was born in Boston on March 8, 1942. The following tribute is reprinted here with her family’s permission:
“Judith Lynne Ross [was] a beloved teacher, musician, and mentor whose passion for music touched thousands of students around the world.
“A prodigy from a young age, Judy graduated from Marblehead High School in 1959, the same year she was awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal in Piano. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree with distinction in 1963 and her Master of Arts in 1969, both from the Eastman School of Music. She later studied privately with the legendary Nadia Boulanger, who named her among the top five students of the year at Fontainebleau.
“Judy began her teaching career as a teaching fellow at Boston University (1970–1974) and taught at SUNY Fredonia (1965–1969), where she launched the harp department and taught music appreciation and theory. She also taught in Puerto Rico at El Coro de Niños de San Juan, where she inspired both students and teachers alike. Her longest tenure was at the Longy School of Music [of Bard College] in Cambridge, [Massachusetts,] where she taught for 37 years. There, she guided generations of students through harmony, solfège, counterpoint, and graduate seminars, eventually serving as chair of the theory department. For her extraordinary dedication, she received the George Seaman Award for Excellence in the Art of Teaching.
“Judy’s impact extended well beyond the classroom. She was the founder and director of the Massachusetts Harp Ensemble, still thriving more than 30 years later. She also served as principal harpist for many community orchestras and wind ensembles. In her private studio, she taught harp, piano, harmony, and theory to a wide range of students—from gifted children and doctoral candidates to prominent conductors and musicians seeking to refine their craft. By her own count, she taught over 5,000 students in her lifetime. Known for her rigor, humor, and generosity, Judy believed deeply in nurturing each student’s potential. ‘I am not just teaching a subject—I am teaching people,’ she once wrote.
“Her passions extended beyond music. She was an activist for LGBTQ rights, an animal lover, and a devoted puzzler. [She] once won an award in the cryptic crossword division at the national crossword competition in Stamford, Connecticut. She even published a puzzle book [titled Puzzles for Harpists, intended] for harpists and their music-loving friends. As she grew with her students, Judy continued to see herself as a lifelong learner: ‘I still consider myself a student—and will be all my life.’
“Judy was the daughter of the late Beatrice Dubin Ross and the late Dr. Herbert James Ross and the sister of the late Jacqueline Ankeles. She was the wife of the late Joy Griffith. She is survived by her nephew Alexander Ankeles, his wife Akemi Ankeles, their child Sophie Ankeles, her nephew Daniel Ankeles, his wife Catherine Fredricks, and their children Sam Ankeles and Lucy Fredricks.
“In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite animal shelter in her memory.”
—Alex Ankeles and Judy Ross
