Jill Roberts is a 1990 graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She is the current Band Director at Madrid-Waddington Central School and the Instructor of Woodwinds for St. Lawrence University. Her teaching responsibilities at Madrid-Waddington include all instrumental instruction for the district in grades 5-12. Her position includes directing 5 ensembles including 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, 7th-8th Grade Band, High School Concert Band and Jazz Band, and all small group lesson instruction for each student. In her position at St. Lawrence University, she provides all woodwind instruction and directs a chamber clarinet ensemble. Mrs. Roberts recently had the privilege of guest directing the SLU Wind Ensemble for the Spring 2023 semester. She also maintains a private studio and has been teaching private clarinet lessons for 30+ years to students of all ages and abilities.
Mrs. Roberts is an active clarinetist who performs regularly with the Orchestra of Northern New York, often as guest principal. She is also a long-standing member of the Northern Symphonic Winds Wind Ensemble, most currently on Eb and 1st clarinet. She was a featured performer at the 2022 Crane Single Reed Summit and also a featured soloist with our local Potsdam Community Band in 2020. Mrs. Roberts is also included on multiple featured recordings with Kendor Music with the Potsdam Clarinet Quartet as part of multiple clarinet quartet collections and single works arranged by Richard Johnston.
As an active clinician and guest conductor, Mrs. Roberts has been a member of multiple educational panels for the NY State Band Directors Association and the Crane Single Reed Summit sessions in past years. She has also guest conducted and presented professional development sessions for the St. Lawrence County Music Educators Association. Mrs. Roberts is also an active composer of band music and educational materials for young instrumental students.
Mrs. Roberts is the Region 5 Representative for the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA), a certified NYSSMA Woodwind Adjudicator and a member of the Northern Symphonic Winds Executive Board. Mrs. Roberts is also chairperson for the newly formed Orchestra of Northern NY Music Educators Advocacy Committee, working to further connect the orchestra and our local schools. Mrs. Roberts is also a member of Women Band Directors International (WBDI) and the International Clarinet Association (ICA). In January 2021, Mrs. Roberts was the recipient of the Citation of Excellence Award from the National Band Association for her leadership, service and outstanding contribution to bands and band music throughout her career.