About Mr. Roach

Jason Roach is in his 10th year at YBMS and his 18th year as an educator. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, in 2008. A 2004 graduate of Dover Area High School, Jason began playing saxophone at the age of nine. Throughout his high school years, he expanded his musical abilities by learning clarinet, flute, trumpet, drum set, and bass guitar.

Jason has a passion for music and enjoys performing and collecting a wide variety of instruments. His personal collection currently includes more than 30 instruments, including nine saxophones ranging from sopranino and C-melody saxophones to bass saxophone.

During his time at Lebanon Valley College, Jason was an active member of the college's music program. He participated in the student-led praise and worship band HIS (He Is Savior) and served as the drill writer for the 2005–2006 marching band show. During his junior year, he became the tuba section leader and performed on sousaphone. A lifelong jazz enthusiast, Jason also performed in both the Small Jazz Ensemble (Combo) and the Jazz Ensemble. As a member of the Lebanon Valley College Jazz Ensemble, he toured for three years, performing on alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, and clarinet. During his senior year, he was featured as a soloist with the ensemble.

Jason earned his Master of Music degree in Conducting from Messiah College in 2012.

Throughout his career, Jason has had the opportunity to perform alongside and for renowned musicians, including Cyrus Chestnut, John Fedchock, Tierney Sutton, and Chubby Checker. He has studied saxophone with accomplished local jazz musicians Steve Fieldhouse, Curt Sipe, and Tom Strohman.

Jason has performed with numerous ensembles throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding region and has recorded with local musicians and groups. His performing experience includes the Moonlighters Big Band in Lititz, Pennsylvania; the Messiah College Wind Ensemble in Grantham, Pennsylvania, where he performed on bass saxophone, contrabass clarinet, and contra-alto clarinet; the Ben Mauger Roaring 20's Jazz Band; and the Twin Roses Community Band. One of his favorite performing experiences was spending a decade performing at Hersheypark from 2007 through 2017.

Today, Jason remains an active musician and performer. He regularly serves on his church's praise and worship team, where he performs on drum set, bass guitar, saxophone, and synthesizer, while also managing sound production. He also maintains a private teaching studio in the Dillsburg area, where he provides music instruction to students of all ages.

Jason lives in the Dillsburg area with his wife, Rachel, and their children, Harper and Judah.