Maximo Califano graduated as a dancer at the prestigious Colon Theatre Institute of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he was born. His main teachers included Mirta Furioso and Esmeralda Agoglia, and his studies included intense instruction in a wide range of styles. Upon graduation he joined Colon Theatre Ballet and danced in international ballet productions with well-known choreographers worldwide.

While dancing with Ballet La Plata in Argentina, Mr. Califano danced principal roles in Carmen, Gaîté Parisienne, and Suite en Blanc under the artistic directorship of Esmeralda Agoglia. He was invited by Ivan Nagy to dance with Santiago Ballet in Chile, and later, he worked with Semperoper Dresden in Germany, directed by the Russian dancer Vladimir Derevianko. In addition, he has danced with Royal Ballet London, Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, Buenos Aires Neoclassic Ballet and Argentine Ballet Company.

His repertoire as a principal dancer includes Les Millons d'Arlequin, Apollo in Orpheus, Colas and Alain in La Fille Mal Gardee, Jean de Brienne in Raymonda, the principal role in the ballet opera Aida, Glinka Pas de Trois by George Balanchine, 2-2 Tango specially choreographed for him by Karen Gabay, Pas de Deux from Swan Lake Act II and Sleeping Beauty Act III, Cavalier in Nutcracker, the main Pas de Deux in The Yellow River Suite a Chinese 20th century masterpiece by Yong Yao and Spring Waters pas de deux.

Mr. Califano joined Ballet San Jose in 2001, and has danced principal roles such as Tsar Nikolai in Nutcracker , the featured male dancer in Paquita, In Studio D, Neptune in Michael Smuin's the Tempest, the King in Donald McKayle's District Storyville, Milorad in Coppélia, Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, the lover in Michael Smuin's Japanese tragedy Shinju, the lead dancer in Some Times choreographed by Dennis Nahat, the immortal Kastchei in The Firebird, the featured male dancer in Grand Pas de Dix by Dennis Nahat, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Hillarion in Giselle, Big Boss Man in Blue Suede Shoes, the award winning pas de deux September, and  the Yellow Emperor in Middle Kingdom Ancient China.