Masanao Ito was born in Ibaraki, Japan. He began his ballet training at Sion Ballet. Later, he attended the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s Graduate Program on a full scholarship for two years where he performed roles in  George Balanchine's Serenade, Etudes, Don Quixote, La Sylphide, and Tribute.

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Additionally, he was invited to perform with the Pittsburgh Ballet's main company where he danced roles in The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Le Corsaire, and Alice in Wonderland among others.

Ito participated in Japan Grand Prix 2013 and received a full scholarship to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School Summer Intensive. He has also performed as a guest dancer all over Japan. Besides soloist roles, he has recently performed in Malaysia in Vladimir Issaev’s Fairy Doll.