b. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. Roberts, the daughter of a music teacher, studied clarinet as a child, albeit in the classical tradition. She also took up the flute and piccolo at an early age, and in addition to her musical talents is a champion Irish step dancer. Roberts was awarded BBC Radio Two's Young Tradition Award in 1994, and the same year sung vocals on the Lakeman Brothers' debut album, 3 Piece Suite. This led to the formation of the Equation, a folk roots band that featured Kate Rusby, Roberts and the Lakeman Brothers. Rusby and Roberts had appeared with num...