Directors

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Velma Froude

Founder & Visionary Director (1926–1976)

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The Harp and Vocal Ensemble was founded under the leadership of Velma Froude, whose remarkable 43-year tenure established the program’s uncompromising standards and enduring reputation. As founding director, she shaped the ensemble into a prestigious concert group known for technical precision, musical depth, and captivating performances.

Under her guidance, the ensemble gained local, national, and international acclaim, performing for diverse audiences and conventions while setting a benchmark for excellence that continues to define the program today.

Legacy Highlights

• Founded and led the program for over four decades

• Established rigorous performance and rehearsal standards

• Built a reputation that extended far beyond Cass Tech

• Mentored generations of students who carried the program’s values into their professional lives

• Velma Froude’s vision laid the foundation for nearly a century of artistic excellence.

Patricia Terry-Ross

Performer, Educator, & Alumna (Director 1976–2007)

An alumna of the program herself, Patricia Terry-Ross assumed leadership in 1976, guiding the Harp and Vocal Ensemble for more than three decades while simultaneously building an extraordinary professional career. A nationally respected harpist, vocalist, and educator, Terry-Ross seamlessly bridged the worlds of classical performance, studio recording, and education—bringing real-world artistry into the classroom.

Professional & Artistic Achievements

• 2017 Kresge Eminent Artist, one of Detroit’s highest cultural honors

• Principal harpist with Michigan Opera Theatre for over 40 years

• Performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

• Recorded harp parts on classic Motown recordings, including sessions with Marvin Gaye and The Temptations

• Adjunct Associate Professor at Wayne State University

• Impact at Cass Tech

Directed the Harp and Vocal Ensemble from 1976–2007

• Expanded musical rigor while nurturing student artistry

• Mentored countless students who went on to professional careers in music and education

• Her leadership deepened the program’s prestige and firmly connected Cass Tech’s legacy to Detroit’s rich musical history.

Lydia Cleaver

Alumna, Performer, & Modern Steward (Director 2007–Present)

In 2007, leadership passed to Lydia Cleaver, another proud alumna of the Harp and Vocal program. With deep respect for tradition and a forward-looking approach, Cleaver continues to guide the ensemble into its next chapter. An accomplished harpist and educator, her career reflects the same balance of performance excellence and mentorship that has long defined the program.

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Education & Performance Career

• Cass Tech Harp & Vocal Ensemble alumna

• Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with Master’s and Specialist degrees in Harp Performance

• Performed with regional orchestras and choral ensembles throughout the Midwest

• Performance collaborations include Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Eartha Kitt, and theatrical productions such as The Wizard of Oz

• Featured soloist with ensembles including Vocal Essence, the Livonia Symphony, and the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra

Leadership Today

• Director of the Harp and Vocal Ensemble since 2007

• Provides individualized instruction while maintaining high ensemble standards

• Continues the program’s tradition of excellence while preparing students for contemporary performance opportunities

• Under her leadership, the ensemble remains a vibrant, highly respected part of Cass Tech’s cultural life.