Capacity Documentation

A’lante Flamenco

Elevate Grant Application 2027

Artist Biographies

Isaí Chacón is a guitarist, singer, and composer, and Musical Director of A’lante Flamenco. Originally from Durango, Mexico, Isaí began studying guitar when he was ten years old. After absorbing the basics of Latin music in Mexico, Isaí relocated to Texas, where he studied music theory, jazz and composition, while simultaneously discovering his love of flamenco guitar and singing. After playing son cubano in Austin with bands like Soniquete and O Positivo, Isai left Austin to live in Madrid from 2003-2004, and again from 2006-2010, where he immersed himself in the flamenco world by accompanying many of Spain’s best artists in classes and performance.

Isaí is the guitar, percussion and singing instructor at Flamencura Music and Dance, where he also accompanies dance classes. Since 2011 he has been Co-Founder and Co-Director of A’lante Flamenco, where he composes and arranges flamenco music while directing some of the region’s best flamenco musicians. Isai performs frequently throughout Texas, and has collaborated with groups and artists including Graham Reynolds, Alex Ruiz of Del Castillo, Texas Early Music Project, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, and many individual flamenco artists. In recent years, Isai has appeared in films by Austin directors Mario Troncoso, Maggie Bailey, and Paul Shirley.

Isai also collaborates with the young dancers at McCallum Arts Academy annually to create flamenco works for their Spring Dance Concert, and strives to nurture the love of flamenco in young people. He works to develop a supportive and active community of flamenco enthusiasts, amateur music and dance performers, and artistic collaborators in Austin and Central Texas, and through consistent, high-quality creative output, to make Austin a regional hub for flamenco arts.

Olivia Chacón is a flamenco dancer, choreographer, and instructor originally from San Antonio, Texas. Olivia has danced flamenco for over twenty years, and spent five years studying flamenco and performing in Sevilla and Madrid with some of the world’s best flamenco artists. She toured internationally with Cristóbal Reyes Flamenco, and performed as a soloist in Spain and Germany. Olivia is co-founder of professional dance company A’lante Flamenco and Flamencura Music & Dance studio, founded in 2010. In addition, she has been an adjunct instructor in the dance department of McCallum Arts Academy for the past twelve years.

In addition to performing as a soloist on stages around Texas and the U.S., Olivia is dedicated to teaching and mentoring new generations of young flamenco lovers and practitioners through education and performance. She has taught hundreds of youth and adults to dance flamenco in our studio, at McCallum Arts Academy (annually since 2012), and in schools around the state. 

Outside of the studio, Olivia is passionate about social justice, assisting refugees in Texas as a volunteer with Caritas of Austin. She also spends her spare time walking her two rescue chihuahuas, Prudencia and Chiquillo.

Key Members of A’lante Flamenco:

Jose Manuel Tejeda (Guitarist, Composer & Arranger) Originally from Havana, Cuba, Tejeda began training extensively in classical guitar, accumulating over 13 years of academic study. He graduated from the prestigious Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) (University of Arts) in Cuba, earning a degree in classical guitar, guitar education, and musical direction. After emigrating to Austin 2011, he began working with A’lante Flamenco and later with Atash. His expressive technique and cross-genre versatility have made him a prominent figure in the Texas world-music scene, known for his rich blending of flamenco, classical, jazz, and Latin styles.

Sofia Hurtado is a flamenco dancer, instructor and Rehearsal Director for A’lante Flamenco. A native of San Diego, Sofia began dancing flamenco at the age of three, and has never stopped! She holds a MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon, and a PhD from the University of Texas. Driven by her passion for “running a business and building a community,” Dr. Hurtado transitioned her advanced engineering research into the commercial sector. As the CEO of Saight, she leverages her expertise in computer vision and machine learning to build innovative AI-driven technology solutions. She balances this with her lifelong passion for flamenco, instructing Beginner dancers at Flamencura Music & Dance and performing frequently as a soloist with A’lante Flamenco.

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanteflamenco/  and Olivia Chacon https://www.instagram.com/flamenc.oli/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanteflamencodance/

Recognition for A’lante Flamenco: 

Austin Critics’ Table Awards & Nominations:

  • Winner, Best Dancer 2012/2013 (Olivia Chacon in The Red Shoes)
  • Winner, Best Dance Ensemble 2013/2014 (for Prophecies) 
  • Winner, Best Dance Ensemble 2014/2015 (for Desplazados). 
  • Nominated, Best Dance Concert 2017/2018 (for Juana: First I Dream /Primero Sueño) 

A’lante Flamenco is a recipient of the following honors:

  • Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster 2014-present (12 years)
  • Artist Access Program (AAP) of Austin Parks & Recreation, multiple seasons since 2018
  • Latino Artist Access Program (LAAP) of Austin Parks & Recreation 2019-2022
  • Mid-America Arts Alliance/National Endowment for the Arts grant, 2012
  • Redd Carpet Fund (Long Center), 2012-2013

Press for A’lante Flamenco

Press Releases:

English Language:

Spanish Language: