by Shawn Nowlin
When it comes sustaining the momentum of a historic performing arts and cultural center, the age-old adage of “it’s easier said than done” takes on a different meaning.
For over a decade, Cyrus Pace has served as the Executive Director of the Jefferson Center. In addition to leading major campaigns, he also managed three strategic planning processes, which resulted in nearly one million dollars being added to the balance sheet.
In March, Pace will be stepping down from his position.
Speaking to the Roanoke Tribune in a previous interview, Pace said, “Our Music Education Lab is a great initiative. We have students who aspire to be engineers, while others aim to be songwriters. We have had some folks go on to national and international stardom.”
Continuing, he added, “Can we stay at the current staffing level despite the inflationary pressures that we have? That is the question. It does get harder to retain people when certain things happen. When people come through the doors, they are always happy to see smiling faces.”
After high school, Pace went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Roanoke College and a master’s degree in jazz performance from Manhattan School of Music. Being an adjunct faculty member in music and arts management at Virginia Tech helped Pace in his role with the Jefferson Center.
Clarinetist Don Byron and organist Lonnie Smith are just some of the notable musicians that he has performed with.
Pace, then a Coordinator of Fine Arts for Roanoke City Public Schools, is credited for facilitating a VH1 Save the Music Grant, which brought $450,000 worth of instruments to local youth.
People have gone to social media to share their thoughts on Pace as this chapter in his life comes to an end. “Cyrus is a dedicated man with integrity who will be greatly missed,” Mandy Johnson said. “When one serves in a leadership role, they usually become an avatar for when things are great and less than ideal.”
“A lot of what Cyrus did for the community went unnoticed or unappreciated,” James Mitchell said. “A good executive director always understands the assignment, including when it is the right time to step away.”
Wrote Kasey Morgan, “In terms of bringing talent to the Jefferson Center, Pace played a huge role in that. I wish him all the best in the future.”
What happens to the Jefferson Center in the future will, in part, come down to how much money can be raised.
