Kristy Manuel

Flamenco Dance and Yogalates Teacher

Kristy has been teaching flamenco dance since returning from her first trip to Spain in 2003. She spent 14 months training intensely in Madrid with some of the most renowned flamenco teachers. She has since returned to Spain twice, in 2006 and 2009, to build on her training in Seville.

She has developed a unique style that inspires many of Adelaide's flamenco students. Her ability to put people at ease and demystify some of the complexities of flamenco is refreshing.

Kristy is a qualified and experienced fitness leader and has lead group fitness classes for over 10 years. Her enthusiasm for seeing others reach their own fitness goals is evident and her unique blend of dance training and knowledge of the body has lead her to being able to offer classes that will not only improve coordination and posture but increase fitness and core strength. She has identified that core strength and flexibility are essential for a long and healthy dancing career and improve the quality and enjoyment of everyday living.

For this reason at Casa de Flamenco Kristy offers dance classes which are either followed or proceeded by a Yogalates class, these classes are optional but encouraged and are available to anyone who wants to increase their core strength and flexibility.

For more information about Kristy, including videos and photos visit Chispa Flamenca's website.

Aloysius Leeson

Guitar Teacher and Accompanist

Aloysius has been playing guitar since he was a child. After studying classical guitar at the Elder Conservatorium, he took up flamenco. This led him to spend time in Spain following the traditional apprenticeship of accompanying singers and dancers, studying with maestros and playing at Juergas (parties). Eventually he was able to work at the dance studios of Javier Cruz and Maria Angeles in Seville.

Since coming back to Australia he has continued to work as a soloist and with a variety of dancers and singers. He has released two CDs of original compositions, the most recent one "Chispa Flamenca", and continues to explore the possibilities of the guitar in many different styles. For more information, including video and audio clips, visit Aloysius' website.

"It is more than evident that Leeson is a virtuoso guitarist, with a style that easily moves from sensitive to frenetic"- Michael Hunter, dB magazine.
"Professional and intense" - Scott McLennan, Rip it up magazine.
"A superbly authentic sound" - Celia Brissenden, The Advertiser.

Cristina Canovas

Spanish Language Teacher

Cristina is a fully qualified native Spanish teacher with over 10 years experience. She studied Spanish Philology (5 year degree in Spanish grammar and literature). After teaching Latin, Spanish and Catalan in Spain, she travelled to Scotland and while learning English she worked as a Spanish teacher at the Edinburgh Language College.

She arrived in Australia in 2003 and has been working as a Spanish teacher for Flinders University, UNISA and Adelaide University as well as TAFE since 2004. To improve her learning techniques she completed the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) course and courses for Spanish teachers offered by Salamanca University in Melbourne (2007) and Adelaide (2009).

:: Media ::

   Check out the articles below featuring Casa de Flamenco:

Le Fleurieu magazine	Marion City Limits	The Adelaide Advertiser