JENNIFER POORMAN HODGSON, Assistant Conductor/Vice President/Personnel Manager
Jennifer Poorman Hodgson earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in clarinet performance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 1997. While at Rutgers, she performed with the Grammy-nominated Wind Ensemble under the direction of William Berz and served as Drum Major of the Rutgers University Scarlet Knight Marching Band for three of her four years with the organization. She later earned a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Stockton University in 2018 and has completed additional graduate studies at West Chester University, The University of the Arts, and Central Connecticut State University.
Mrs. Hodgson began her teaching career in 1998 and has taught students from kindergarten through high school throughout southern New Jersey. She previously taught vocal music in Brigantine, Woodbine, and Barnegat schools and founded the instrumental music program for grades 4–8 at North School in Absecon. Since 1999, she has been a member of the music faculty at Southern Regional High School, where she directs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and teaches Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Guitar, and instrumental lessons. She also serves as advisor for the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter. Mrs. Hodgson is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education.
In addition to her work in public education, Mrs. Hodgson serves as Vice President, Personnel Secretary, Assistant Director, and clarinetist for the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble. She has also traveled extensively throughout Europe as a band director with American Music Abroad since 1998. Mrs. Hodgson has been selected to conduct numerous honor ensembles, including the Western Burlington County Honors Band, Cape-Atlantic Honors Band, Salem County Honors Band, the All-South Jersey Clarinet Ensemble, and the All-South Jersey Symphonic Band in both 2012 and 2025.
Mrs. Hodgson began her teaching career in 1998 and has taught students from kindergarten through high school throughout southern New Jersey. She previously taught vocal music in Brigantine, Woodbine, and Barnegat schools and founded the instrumental music program for grades 4–8 at North School in Absecon. Since 1999, she has been a member of the music faculty at Southern Regional High School, where she directs the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, and teaches Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Guitar, and instrumental lessons. She also serves as advisor for the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter. Mrs. Hodgson is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education.
In addition to her work in public education, Mrs. Hodgson serves as Vice President, Personnel Secretary, Assistant Director, and clarinetist for the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble. She has also traveled extensively throughout Europe as a band director with American Music Abroad since 1998. Mrs. Hodgson has been selected to conduct numerous honor ensembles, including the Western Burlington County Honors Band, Cape-Atlantic Honors Band, Salem County Honors Band, the All-South Jersey Clarinet Ensemble, and the All-South Jersey Symphonic Band in both 2012 and 2025.