Maxwell Peters grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his love for ballet began at the British Dancing Academy—founded in 1973 by his grandmother and now directed by his mother, who was also his first teacher from 3 years old. At age 16, he left home to attend Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Massachusetts, where he trained intensively in ballet while also earning his high school diploma. Following Walnut Hill, he was accepted into the San Francisco Ballet School, where he trained under the direction of Patrick Armand. He spent two years there, completing the highest level of the school. Afterward, he returned to Seattle to continue his training in the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet. During his time at PNB, he had the opportunity to be auditioned by Artistic Director Brandon Ragland, who later invited him and his partner, Isabelle Wilwayco, to join Dayton Ballet.
