Vanessa is not only a percussionist, but also a set drummer, violinist, vocalist, music librarian, and music proofreader. Vanessa was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of U.C.L.A. with a B.A. degree in Music Performance, specializing in Percussion.

Her career has taken her all over the world. Vanessa has performed with such artists as Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Della Reese, Charles Aznavour, Shirley Bassey, Rod Stewart, Jennifer Holliday, Frank Sinatra Sr., Frank Sinatra Jr., and Sammy Davis Jr. She has been involved with many musical theater productions (The Color Purple, Hairspray, The Lion King-Los Angeles, Dreamgirls), television shows and specials (American Idol, Arista Records' 25th, Ebony Magazine's 50th, AFI 100's, America's Millennium), award shows (Academy(Oscars), Emmy, Grammy, American Music, Essence, NAACP Image, People's Choice, Billboard), stage shows (The Colors of Christmas, Best of Broadway), films (Love!Valor!Compassion!, La Bamba), and recordings (Barry Manilow, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Jennifer Holliday, Della Reese, Ami Rushes, Beverly Crawford). Vanessa toured for ten years performing all over the world with Barry Manilow and with Shirley MacLaine.

She currently works as an independent musician in Los Angeles and is still much involved with her church, theater, award shows, studio recordings, television specials and shows; most recently as a percussionist for the ABC hit television show, "Dancing With The Stars" since season one. She also performs with Natalie Cole (in Los Angeles), Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., and Jennifer Holliday.