Jean-Pierre studied classical and modern dance in Montreal, New York and Paris. From 1967 he danced with Le Groupe de la Place Royale. He made his choreographic debut with Le Groupe in 1972, and later became co-artistic director with Peter Boneham.

In 1981, he left Le Groupe and worked as a choreographer and guest teacher in Canada and Europe, including Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, the Laban Centre in London and the Ballets Cullberg in Stockholm.

Between 1969 and 1983, he travelled and studied in Europe, Asia and Africa, during which time he pursued his particular interests in architecture, sacred art and ritual. His observations led him to a comparative analysis of traditional dance and functional movement, and a study of the influence of costume and social organization on dance and choreography.

Returning to Montreal in 1984, he accepted a position as professor in the Dance Department of the Université du Québec à Montréal, and founded his own dance company: the Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault.

He has been invited to show his drawings in solo exhibitions in New York, Anvers, Montreal and Stockholm. Jean-Pierre was the recipient of the Jean A. Chalmers Award for Choreography in 1990. He died at the Hôpital Notre-Dame in Montréal, of cancer.