A native Montrealer, Jessica is the youngest member of the Gal family, who were active CAMMAC members, participating in the summer program and attending Thanksgiving reunions each year since the early 1970s. She maintains ownership of the family cottage on Cammac Road.
Having studied classical violin at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal with Johanne Arel and Raymond Dessaints, she later went on to study several styles of traditional music. Over the past 25 years, she has taught fiddle at the Siamsa school of Irish music, performed with accordionist Sergiu Popa and the Bokréta Hungarian Folk Dance Ensemble.
A Concordia University graduate with degrees in Political Science and Geography, Jessica has focused on a career in arts administration, with over 10 years of professional experience working for non-profit organizations in Montreal, currently at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts.