Jalene is from a farming community south of Logansport, Indiana, and started piano lessons around age 6 from private teachers in the community. She added accordion and organ instruction in junior high and high school,and then continued music instruction during her college years, but graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration.

As an adult, Jalene has had trophy-winning students in contests throughout this regional area of the U.S., and some have gone on to major in music in college. Jalene uses several method courses in her instruction and has students as young as four years of age, and some through retirement age.

Jalene is also a professional musician as an accordionist working with various musical groups, including the American Cabaret Theatre, and USO Tours to the Orient and Europe. She worked with a musical Trio which played for a benefit before the Frank Sinatra Show at the Deer Creek Music Center (now Verizon), and also for President Ronald Reagan before his speech at the Convention Center in Indianapolis several years ago. She continues free-lancing in several musical styles and is available for galas and other special occasions.