Jessie was born in Wichita, Kansas, and moved to Marysville, Washington, shortly after she was born. Her dad was in the Air Force and then accepted a job at Boeing in Everett.
Jessie attended the University of California, San Diego, for her undergraduate studies and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has also attended the University of Washington, Evan's School of Public Policy and Administration and earned an Executive Master's Degree in Public Administration.
Jessie had wanted to play the saxophone since she was 7 years old...inspired by the cartoon character Lisa from “The Simpsons” but didn't start playing until middle school at the age of 11. She played sax in the US Marines for 8 years – stationed in Miramar, 29 Palms, Okinawa, Japan and San Diego. She had the privilege of performing for audiences all over the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and the Middle East.
Jessie currently plays with Seattle Wind Symphony and Puyallup Valley Community Band. She also plays in two Seattle-based saxophone groups, “Hyperresonance” and “Patterns”. She has previously played with Rain City Jazz Orchestra, Amazon Wind Ensemble, Woodinville Community Band, and North Seattle Symphonic Band.
Jessie enjoys rock climbing, running, hiking and she is involved in her local veteran community through the organizations Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB) and FourBlock, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting returning service members in their transition from military service to meaningful civilian careers.
