is an award-winning composer, lyricist, writer, and music director. He is a two-time recipient of the National Alliance For Musical Theatre Frank Young Grant, a finalist for Opera America’s Digital Excellence in Opera Award, and has received commissions from TYA/USA, Zach Theatre, Boston Lyric Opera, 24 Hour Plays, Oregon Cabaret, BMG Music, Portland Opera, and more. He is an alumnus of The Orchard Project, The Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals, Austin Latinx New Play Festival, Prospect Theatre’s Musical Theatre Lab in NYC, Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Black Swan Lab, and New York Theatre Barn Core Programs, including the Barn On Fire Festival of New Musicals (mentored by Jerry Mitchell). His work has been performed at the Jimmy Awards on Broadway, Broadway Housing Gala (co-hosted by the Miranda Family Foundation and Latine Musical Theatre Lab), The Green Room 42, Boston Lyric Opera, Long Beach Opera, Zach Theatre, Prospect Theatre Company, Cutting Ball Theatre, 24 Hour Plays, Prop Thtr Small Hours Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, Oregon Cabaret, Camelot Theatre, New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, NAMT Festival, Long Wharf Theatre, and more. Jesse’s music can be streamed on all major platforms.

As a music director, he has worked in theaters and organizations across the country including South Coast Repertory, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater, Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Arizona Theatre Company, Alley Theatre, Round House Theatre, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, O’Neill Music Theatre Conference, New World Stages, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and many more.

Early in Jesse’s career, he served as music assistant on the first national tour of Hamilton and the world premiere of The Prince of Egypt (Theatreworks SV). In these and other positions, he has worked with Stephen Schwartz, Alex Lacamoire, Greg Anthony Rassen, Paul Scott Goodman, AnnMarie Milazzo, Michael Starobin, Dominick Ammendum, and countless other Broadway veterans.

Jesse serves on award and reading panels for Opera America and the National Alliance for Musical Theater. Jesse is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America and National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. Jesse is on the Board of Directors for new Southern Oregon based opera company, Outsider Opera. He is represented by Katie Gamelli and Paladin Artists.