Originally from Oakland, California, Vanelle attended Pinole Valley High where she majored in Performing Arts/Theatre and then went onto Contra Costa College. There she stayed involved in the Arts through Dance Production as she tackled the prerequisites for the nursing program. While working in a Berkeley grocery store, Vanelle was approached by a well known local photographer who encouraged her to model.
Vanelle later moved to North Carolina to find, much to her surprise, an active film community. She tested the waters by working as an extra in Juwanna Mann and then began auditioning for films. Her first two auditions were held on the same day, and as luck would have it, Vanelle won both roles. Unfortunately neither film ever made it past editing but she still took it to be a sign that she had found her calling.
Since then Vanelle has starred in several Independent Films such as See the Dead, Exhibit A-7, Remnants, Athena, and Sacred Kind of Love. She has been nominated and won awards at various film festivals including the Action On Film International Film Festival. Vanelle also has enjoyed time behind the camera as Producer, Director, Writer, and Second Camera.
The ability to wear multiple hats allowed Vanelle to found her own production company in 2007 called Magic Tribe Pictures. From that company she has written and directed two short films, Inheriting the Earth, and Spades. She also is a Writer/Producer/Director for the Maiden Network.
