JP grew up in Keene, New Hampshire and began playing the piano at age 6, taking lessons from classical pianist Chungyo Shin, whom he would study with for 10 years. As a teenager, JP's interests turned to playing rock and jazz and he began performing with various bands throughout high school. The experience of creative collaboration with other musicians solidified his commitment to pursuing a life as a musician. After high school, JP attended Berklee College of Music and later finished his studies at SUNY Purchase,
graduating from the Jazz Studies program.

Since moving to Brooklyn in 2004, JP has been immersing himself in the city's thriving creative music scene and performing various styles of music, as well as composing music and leading his own groups. JP has performed at such venues as Detour, The Bowery Poetry Club, The Knitting Factory, Rockwood Music Hall and many others.

Other projects have included recording music for films and collaborations with visual artists, dancers, and writers.

JP has studied jazz and improvisation with Fred Hersch, Hal Galper, Pete Malinverni, Ralph Alessi, Mark Helias, and Vijay Iyer. He has also attended workshops held by the School For Improvisational Music in Brooklyn and City College. He currently studies classical piano with Sophia Rosoff and counterpoint and composition with Paul Caputo.

Also active as a teacher, JP gives private lessons in jazz, improvisation, classical, rock, and composition. He is on the faculty at the Rye Arts Center in Rye, New York where he teaches piano students of all ages.