Sarah Roberts
Director of Operations
Conductor, Jazz Academy
Dr. Sarah Roberts is Associate Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at The University of Texas at Tyler. With an extremely diverse background in classical, jazz, and popular music; Dr. Roberts has performed with a gamut of ensembles ranging from traditional saxophone quartets, to new music groups, to rock bands, to jazz groups and all points in between. In the East Texas area, Dr. Roberts frequently performs with her self-titled jazz quartet (Sarah Roberts Quartet) and the Rose City Big Band, which she formed in 2015. In addition, she has been a saxophonist for various orchestras including the Plano Symphony, Irving Symphony, and San Angelo Symphony; a frequent substitute saxophonist with the Dallas Wind Symphony and the Lonestar Wind Orchestra; and is a member of Kris Berg’s Metroplexity Big Band. Furthermore, she has presented recitals and lectures throughout the United States including presentations at discipline specific conventions for such organizations as the North American Saxophone Alliance and the Jazz Education Network.
In addition to a very active performing schedule, Dr. Roberts is a highly sought after clinician and adjudicator. In 2012, she was the guest artist with the Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s jazz band for their annual jazz festival; and in 2014 she was the Artist-in-Residence with the Southeast Iowa Symphony. In February 2017, Dr. Roberts was the featured soloist with the Mineola Middle School Band for their TMEA Honor Band Performance where she premiered a work specifically commissioned for the event. In April 2017, she was the featured soloist for the Canton High school Band’s annual gala. Dr. Roberts has also been a frequent saxophonist for the American R&B group, The O’Jays.
As an adjudicator, Dr. Roberts is frequently a judge for the Frisco Jazz Festival and the Collin College Jazz Festival in addition to other festivals throughout the state of Texas. Furthermore, Dr. Roberts has been the regional clinician for various TMEA and ATSSB all-region jazz festivals throughout Texas and has been the conductor of the TISD all-city band festival. She is also on the faculty of the Texas All-Star Jazz Camp and serves as the band conductor for the Green Acres Middle School Band Camp.
While Dr. Roberts spends much time on the road providing clinics at schools, she has also been instrumental in the implementation of various workshops on the UT Tyler campus. She has hosted two successful UT Tyler Saxophone Days that brought over 60 saxophonists to campus. In September 2015, she developed and implemented The University of Texas at Tyler All-Region Workshop that brought more than 350 high school students from across East Texas to campus for a day-long workshop where participants learned strategies for successful preparation of their audition etudes. Her further duties at UT Tyler include conducting the UT Tyler Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, teaching the saxophone studio, and conducting the saxophone ensemble. In addition, Dr. Roberts is currently the President of the Texas Jazz Educators Association and the college representative for Region 21 of the Texas Music Educators Association. She has also served on the board of the East Texas Youth Orchestra since 2015.
Dr. Roberts completed her doctorate of musical arts degree in saxophone performance from the University of North Texas in August 2015. She also holds dual master of music degrees in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the University of North Texas and dual undergraduate degrees in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the University of Michigan. Her primary saxophone teachers include Donald Sinta, Donald Walden, Eric Nestler, and Jim Riggs.