Jessie Whelan graduated magna cum laude from Montclair State University's Department of Theater and Dance with a B.F.A. in dance in 2012, and again in 2016 from Montclair State University's Department of Health and Nutrition with a degree in Nutrition: Dietetics. A native of Waretown, NJ, Jessie began her dance training with Eileen Juric at Basically Ballet studio in 1995 where she studied classical ballet and modern. She continued with Kristin Dexnis in 2003 and since then has trained in various styles with artists such as Jao Carvalho, Nancy Lushington, Beth McPherson, Maxine Steinman, Jennifer Chin, Karen Gayle, Jay T. Jenkins, Cynthia Thole, Brian Harlan Brooks, Nyles Ford, Tyler Gilstrap, and many more. In her studies she has performed in works by Charles Weidman, Frederick Earl Mosley, Lane Sayles, and Jessica DiMauro. Jessie has performed with DeXdance and Emotions Physical Dance Theater throughout the tri-state area, Indiana, and Canada. Jessie has additionally worked as a certified personal trainer and nutritionist for Centrastate Fitness & Wellness in Freehold, NJ, and for Lifetime Athletic as a founding employee in Plainsboro, NJ. Jessie continues her work as a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with her own personal brand (Strong Roots Performance) through which she helps educate people towards leading healthy and sustainable lifestyles via fitness and nutrition, all working full time as a dance educator. She is also certified through Acrobatic Arts: The Professional Curriculum for Acrobatic Dance, Balanced Body: Reformer 1, and is a Masters of Nutrition/Registered Dietitian candidate for the Spring of 2024.