J.D. got his undergraduate degree from the University of Guam in Education and Teaching English as a Second language. While teaching he continued to work with the university's theatre department as a costume designer for several years before coming to UNLV to get his MFA in Costume Design. In January of 2024 he enrolled at the L Makeup Institute to be certified as a makeup artist to add to his skill set as a designer. He is currently attending both schools simultaneously.