Janelle Gilchrist received her early training at the Harriet Hoctor Ballet School, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, and Boston Ballet School. She has danced professionally with Hartford Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, Island Moving Company, Legends in Concert, Anna Myer, David Parker, Erica Schwartz, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, City Ballet of Boston and Dance Currents.

As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Janelle has held small roles in several major movie productions.  Janelle has also worked as company manager for Balletrox and went to Riga, Latvia to teach Tony Williams' Urban Nutcracker to students there.

Janelle received her BFA in Dance from the University of Hartford and her MA from Mount Holyoke College and currently works full-time as a dance teacher in Boston Public Schools and Boston Conservatory while also leading her own troupe called Janelle Gilchrist Dance Troupe.