Ricardo Tellez was born in Mexico City and began dancing at age 12. His first exposure to dance involved styles such as Cumbia, Guaracha, Guaguanco, Guajira, Cha-Cha-Cha,Son Montuno, and Salsa. In 1995 after moving to the Bay Area, Rico began studying Salsa under Gabriel Romero. He accelerated his progress in dance by practicing what he learned in clubs all over the Bay Area.

In 1998, Ricardo began teaching Salsa in San Francisco. As the creator of the ON5 Salsa dancing, Ricardo now teaches workshops around the country in his unique style. Ricardo has performed internationally:  Italy, Germany, Mexico, Jamaica, Cali Colombia, Canada, India, Puerto Rica, and Ecuador.

Ricardo founded RicaSalsa in August 1999.  In 2007, Ricardo began dancing with Tianne Frias. Ricardo and Tianne are two-time World Salsa Championship Finalists.  In 2010, they placed 3rd in the ON1 Division at the World Latin Dance Cup in San Diego.