Jess Thomas attended the Junior Guildhall School of Music from the age of eleven, where she studied the violin with Catherine Manson and attended MusicWorks chamber music courses as a violinist and violist. She read Music at Clare College, Cambridge, during which time she had lessons with Chris Hirons. She also sang alto in Clare College Choir, taking part in professional recordings and concert tours. As a University Instrumental Award holder she performed regularly with the Chen Piano Trio and was much in demand for university ensembles including the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra. After completing her BA at Clare, she spent another year doing an MusB and graduated in 2009. She is currently studying for an MMus at the Royal Northern College of Music, partially funded by a bursary from RNCM and is also supported by the Tom Amos Charity based in Little Waltham where she grew up.