Born in Montreal, Zao Dinel was home schooled, allowing him to practice men's artistic gymnastics, swimming and sailing at a competitive level, while studying violin at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal. In 2012, he began his professional training at the École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec and fell in love with dance. It was during the 2022 edition of Springboard Danse Montréal that Zao was exposed to the repertoire of RUBBERBAND, which he joined in the same year.