Max Cappelli-King was born in Chicago and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. His formal training began at Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan, where he attended high school. Cappelli-King earned his B.F.A. from The Juilliard School in 2013. He was a member of the Alyson Laury Dance Company and an associate of Jonah Bokaer's choreography. He has also performed with Limón Dance Company, Pam Tanowitz Dance, and the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. He joined MMDG as an apprentice in 2014.