Jesse Nummelin started Suzuki cello at age four with the Aber Suzuki Center for the Arts in Stevens Point, WI. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in cello performance at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, studying under Dr. Lawrence Levinton, and then a Masters of Music at Arizona State where he worked as Teaching Assistant to Professor Thomas Landschoot.

He currently serves as the assistant principal cellist of the Des Moines Symphony and has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, and Duluth Superior Symphony, among others.

A passionate chamber musician, Jesse most often performs with his wife, pianist Rie Tanaka, as Duo Ihana. He is a founding member of the Stone Arch String Quartet and does studio recording for indie films and upcoming singers/songwriters in the Twin Cities. His versatile musical talent led him to premiere several compositions with string quartet at the Museum of Musical Instruments in Phoenix, AZ, as well as performing on a series of jazz recordings through the Foulger Institute with acclaimed artists Allison Eldredge and Tom Landschoot.

As an educator, Jesse has served as faculty of cello at the Aber Suzuki Center for the Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 2016. Other schools where he has taught include Arizona State University, City of Lakes Waldorf School, and the Saint Paul Conservatory. He currently teaches private cello lessons at Mount Olivet School of Music.