About the Teachers
Chantelle Cano
Bailaora/Flamenco dancer
As principal teacher at Flamenco Performing Arts Studio, Chantelle is known for her depth, precision, and rare ability to guide dancers beyond steps and into true flamenco expression.
With over twenty years of professional teaching and performance experience, Chantelle has appeared as a principal dancer with Arte Kanela Flamenco, performing at major Australian festivals including WOMADelaide, WOMAD New Zealand, and the Woodford Folk Festival, as well as collaborating with international Flamenco artists. Her dancing is grounded, musical and emotionally charged — marked by strength, clarity, and an unmistakable sense of purpose.
Chantelle has been a pillar of the Flamenco Performing Arts Studio, where she nurtures dancers of all levels — from beginners discovering Flamenco’s fiery footwork and expressive arms, to advanced students pushing the boundaries of compás and expression. Her teaching style is direct and energising, encouraging dancers to find power, attack and confidence in their movement, while her classes are known for their strong technical foundation, deep attention to compás, and an emphasis on flamenco as an expressive, living art form. Whether guiding beginners through the basics of compás and palmas or mentoring advanced students in complex choreography, her classes are where heart meets technique and students discover flamenco as a living language of rhythm and expression.
Johnny Tedesco
Bailaor/Flamenco dancer/percussionist/Artistic Director
Raw, rhythmic and unapologetically powerful, Johnny Tedesco brings a visceral energy to flamenco that is instantly recognisable. With decades of performance experience, Johnny is celebrated for his explosive footwork, commanding presence and fearless musicality. Both on stage and in the studio, he is a creative force in Australia’s flamenco community. With over three decades of performance and teaching experience, Johnny has shaped his own artistic path from the dance floor to the studio, inspiring audiences and students alike with his precision, passion and rhythmic brilliance.
As a founding force of the iconic Arte Kanela Flamenco ensemble, Johnny is celebrated for his dynamic stage presence — from solo performances that stun with virtuosic footwork, to collaborative creations that fuse dance, percussion and musical storytelling into unforgettable live experiences. His work pushes flamenco’s traditional structures while remaining fiercely loyal to its rhythmic core.
Johnny’s work spans major arts festivals and productions across Australia, including performances at WOMADelaide, WOMAD NZ and the Melbourne International Arts Festival — as well as touring internationally and collaborating with artists from diverse genres.
In the studio, Johnny is instinctive and music-led. His teaching blends flamenco’s rich tradition with creativity and musical sensitivity. He challenges students to think, listen, and inhabit the dance and compás fully — building not just dancers and musicians, but confident flamenco artists.
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Richard Tedesco
Guitarrista/Guitarist/Musical Director
Richard Tedesco is a distinguished flamenco guitarist and musical director based in Melbourne, renowned for his evocative playing, original compositions and commitment to flamenco’s deep expressive power. As co-founder of the Arte Kanela Flamenco ensemble — one of Australia’s most respected flamenco collectives — Richard has helped define the country’s flamenco voice with decades of passionate performance and innovative music-making.
At the heart of Richard’s artistry is his ability to weave traditional flamenco rhythms with contemporary influences, creating musical landscapes that are at once deeply authentic and strikingly original. His work as a composer and musical director reflects a lifelong devotion to flamenco music and a belief in its power to connect, move and transform audiences. Beyond the stage, Richard is a dedicated teacher and mentor. His approach to flamenco guitar education balances technical mastery with a deep understanding of duende — the intangible spirit of flamenco — helping students of all levels to unlock their own musical voice and rhythmic confidence.
Whether sharing fiery live performances or nurturing the next generation of flamenco guitarists, Richard Tedesco’s influence resonates throughout Australia’s world music and flamenco scenes.