He started to study music at the age of 10, studying piano with Neville King and later the organ. Having gained certificates in Music Theory, Piano Playing and Organ Playing from The Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, he commenced playing the organ in several Anglican churches in Barbados and accompanying many of the island's choirs. Along with his musical pursuits, he also gained an Honors Degree in Computer Science from the University of the West Indies.

John has completed a Bachelor's of Music Degree in Organ Performance at the University of Toronto, where he studied with John Tuttle. While in Toronto he was awarded several scholarships.

In 1997 he founded Voix Antillaises, a group of sixteen singers all of Caribbean background who performed for charitable causes around the city of Toronto. He has appeared regularly as accompanist with the Caribbean Chorale of Toronto under the direction of Ms. Eulalie Walling-Sampson. Through the Artists-in-Residence programme he was given the opportunity to conduct in concert one of Canada's leading professional choirs, The Elmer Iseler Singers and through this experience was one of two undergraduate students selected to conduct for Sir David Willcocks; one of the world's leading authorities in choral music.