Jessie was born on a southern Florida farm, the third of four children. The family relocated to the mountains of Pennsylvania when Jessie was two. Jessie's performance career began at age 7, singing the scores from Disney movies at mini-concerts staged in the backyard. Her repertoire expanded in grade school where she was a featured vocalist in musicals, choral groups and talent shows.

Shortly before high school graduation, Jessie's beautiful face and natural charisma caught the attention of a model management company in Manhattan, NY. Eager to experience life in a big city, Jessie briefly dabbled in the world of fashion modeling, exploring first NYC, then Chicago and Los Angeles.

It was on a trip to see family in Cincinnati, Ohio that Jessie visited a local music hall where she learned East Coast Swing Dancing. The vibrant feel of the songs and the energy injected into the music inspired a further interest in all forms of ballroom dancing and reignited Jessie's passion to become a musician...