LEO CANALES

I am a culturally and linguistically diverse performing artist, residing in Lutruwita/Tasmania, with a practice dedicated to education in the Performing Arts with a strong focus on the Alexander Technique Principles.

In interactive environments, I foster learning experiences that rebuild kinetic awareness from a creative and gentle perspective for diverse age groups.

My acting training in Chile led me to discover the vocal phenomenon with all its expressive potential. I travelled to France to study Vocal Performance and Choreographic Theatre at the PanTheatre School in Paris. I continued exploring deeply into the creative movement expression for performers and studied Contemporary Dance at the Laban Centre in London and also with Claude Brumachon and Benjamin Lamarche (France). This created a learning curve rich in technical knowledge and compassion to understand every self's uniqueness.

As I gathered more knowledge regarding human functioning and its expressiveness, I found in the Alexander Technique a way to convey harmony for the experience of being present in what we do and a clear process to apply to any activity in life. I travelled to my beloved Australia to study the Alexander Technique Teacher Training at The School for F.M. Alexander Studies in Melbourne. Since I graduated as a Teacher of the Technique, I have been working with groups and individuals helping them to understand the beautiful complexity of human design from a creative perspective.

Before moving to Tasmania, I was the Alexander Technique teacher in the main acting studios in Melbourne, making My dream of applying this process to acting come true.

I am collaborating with Nelipot Collective for their current artistic development, Raze Rays Raise.

Education

  • Universidad de Chile

    BA Theatre Acting. Lic. en Artes m. Actuacion Teatral.

    2000-2003

  • School for FM Alexander Studies

    Adv. Dip Alexander Technique Teaching.

    2014-2017

  • Professional Development

    Laban Centre 2007

    Pantheatre 2009

Performing Arts Practice

  • The Rite of Rebirth (2021)

  • HOMEMOTION (2015)

  • Playing with Fire (2014)

  • Ludens (2012)

  • Der Deutsches Mittagstisch (2010-2011)

  • Lo que es posible hacer con alguien (2011)

  • Nacimiento (2009)

  • Masculino (2007)

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Teaching Practice

  • Totum Movement. Moonah TAS

  • Beach Rd Studio. Sandy Bay TAS

  • Kickstart Arts Centre. New Town TAS

  • Taroona Community Hall. Taroona TAS

  • Siteworks. Brunswick VIC

  • Beach Rd Studio. Sandy Bay TAS

Teaching Philosophy

  • In the classroom, on stage or in the rehearsal room, a respectful spirit is promoted. A spirit of equality and transformation that enables every individual to unfold their full potential.

  • I strongly believe in Curiosity instead of judgment, Spontaneity rather than habits or pre-conceived ideas and Adaptability as opposed to fixation.

  • I believe that a conscious learning process can create sensitive and responsive individuals, that can connect to themselves and others, to socialise ecologically, and furthermore, that are more aware of themselves and their environment.

  • My pedagogical practice, something that started almost two decades ago, is where I can enable creativity and self-development for every participant —me included—.

“Leo is a great teacher and workshop leader. I am very impressed with how he holds the space, and how he cares for, and gently guides the participants through ways of applying the Alexander Technique to their work. His observation skills are excellent, he is able to meet each workshop participant where they are at, and individually work with them to assist them in reaching their full potential.”

— Penny McDonald. Harmonic Motion

“I worked with Leo Canales recently on my preparation for A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE for MTC, and found he was especially intuitive & responsive to my process. We explored together the connection of the Alexander work to the text, rather than the Technique simply sitting in isolation. Leo’s experience as a performer himself means he has an added understanding of the actors ultimate needs - reaching a depth & readiness for performance. I highly recommend him!

— Daniela Farinacci, actor.

“I've had the great pleasure of working with Leo many times now, as an actor and a director. Leo's gentle guidance, keen artistic eye and wealth of Alexander Technique knowledge, make him the perfect addition to the rehearsal room.

— Belinda Campbell. WIT Inc.

LEO CANALES