Winner of the 2023 FocusMusic Heyman Rising Artist Award  

FocusMusic created this award to recognize and support an up-and-coming artist in the folk community.

Thank you so much to FocusMusic for this honor.

Tina Ross writes the kind of songs that feel like conversations you didn’t know you needed—honest, poetic, and deeply human.  Tina Ross is a NY-based singer-songwriter whose music blends contemporary folk with touches of jazz and blues, rooted in lyrical storytelling and emotional depth. She writes and performs original songs that explore connection, resilience, love, and the human experience through poetic lyrics, intricate guitar work, and heartfelt delivery. Her performances are intimate and reflective, designed to draw listeners in and leave them moved. She's been touring as one of the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s 2024 “Most Wanted” artists, sharing the stage with fellow honorees in a collaborative format that celebrates songwriting and story. She also hosts the Zoomcast Inside the Song, a hybrid concert and interview series featuring seasoned songwriters and the craft behind their work. She is deeply committed to songcraft and to creating spaces where meaningful music and stories thrive. Whether on stage or in conversation, she aims to connect authentically through music and shared experience. 

“While I’m Here”, her debut album’s official release was February 17, 2023 and was listed for Grammy first round consideration.  Tina has been chosen as a “Most Wanted” 2024 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist, she is also the winner of the prestigious 2023 FocusMusic Heyman Rising Artist Award.  She is honored to have been included on Christine Lavin's new compilation: The Seasons Project which was released November 2023.  She’s been recognized by the UK Songwriting Contest, The International Acoustic Music Awards and The International Blues and Roots Radio Contest as a finalist, the UK Songwriting Contest as a semi-finalist, and the John Lennon and SolarFest Songwriting Contests as an Honorable Mention.  

Tina has performed in notable folk conferences, venues and festivals, including the Main Stage at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival,  Club Passim, The Bitter End, The Towne Crier,  Focus Music, Stangl Stage, The Troubadour at The Folk Project, Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club, Rockwood Music Hall with John Platt's “On Your Radar”.  She has opened for Tom Chapin, John Gorka and Christine Lavin. 

“Tina Ross is a classy cut of singer-songwriter perfection” ~ Jonathan Aird - Americana UK