Members

Free Flow Dance Theatre Company

Free Flow Board Members

• Shannon Swelka, Chair
• Neaera (Nea) DeMuri,
• Clint Simpkins
• David Forbes Finance
• Terri-Bear Linklater
• Kate Matthews
• Lia Storey Gamble

Bios

Her work has since been presented all over Canada at many types of venues ranging from the traditional professional theatres to school auditoriums, parks, shopping malls, and night clubs. She believes in making modern dance accessible to everyone and enjoys putting dance into unconventional venues in the tradition of Post Modernist choreographers.

Jackie is an avid believer in arts literacy and is involved in Arts and Cultural Strategic Planning Committees. She wants to help deconstruct the belief that dance is for the cultural elite only. Jackie is an artist who strives to make her views known through dance and dramatic movement. She often discusses feminism and female issues in her choreography. She prefers to keep her statements abstract and open for interpretation so they remain on an equal level with the movement. She is known for her visceral and emotionally driven works which fit as well into the world of theatre as they do dance.

Jackie has great dreams and aspirations for the future of Free Flow. She looks upwards and thinks big. She strives to break boundaries and express her innermost feelings and ideals. She has received various awards and acknowledgements including most recently Woman of Distinction for arts and culture in Saskatoon 2021 and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal 2023.

Dancer

Clara Chemtov is a Montreal- and Toronto-based emerging artist with a passion for spunky, theatrical, and emotional creation. They have obtained a Diploma of College Studies in Dance at Cégep de Saint-Laurent and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from York University. Their current focus for performance and choreography is combining contemporary dance and theatre techniques. Clara has been fortunate to work with several notable choreographers including Alyssa Martin, Kyra Jean Green, Elsie Morin, and Alireza Keymanesh. Select credits include dancing in the premiere of “The Smile Club” with Trip the Light Fantastic at Festival Quartiers Danses, performing in the restaging of “DINO” with Rock Bottom Movement at Guelph Dance and debuting “Lieberosa” with Les Oiseaux du Paradis.

Passionate about multimedia collaboration, Clara is also the co-artistic director of Projet Ambidanse. Most recently, they premiered “Are You Listening?” at the Montreal Fringe Festival, earning nominations for best choreography and best emerging production. “Beyond Walls”, their first short film with Projet Ambidanse, was featured in five international film festivals in 2020. In their free time, Clara also loves to write. Since 2022, they have written the Historical Moments column for The Dance Current magazine. When they aren’t busy creating, they can be found reading Harry Potter, drinking bubble tea, and inventing new soups. Connect with Clara on Instagram at @clarachemtov! 

Dancer

Grace Sokolow is a queer, gender non-conforming artist passionate about breaking boundaries and building connections through movement and performance. A proud graduate of York University, receiving a BFA double major in Dance and Theatre, Grace has also studied abroad at the University of Chichester in England. They’ve had the opportunity to work with esteemed artists such as Alayna Molotkow, Monica Dotter, and Kieran Page. This past year, Grace served as Artistic Director of Bloom, a dance festival at the Winchester Street Theatre, and performed as a company member with the York Dance Ensemble, collaborating closely with choreographer Jane-Alison McKinney and artistic director Syreeta Hector. Their recent credits include When I Grow Up (Factory Theatre), InTransit (Theatre by the Bay), and Here & Now (Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre). Grace is excited to continue dancing in Saskatoon! Follow Grace on Instagram to keep up to date with all their upcoming projects: @grcesoklow_ 

Nicole de Gooijer

Dancer

Nicole de Gooijer is a dancer whose movement flows from instinct, imagination, and a deep love of expression. With a raw, intuitive presence, she captivates audiences with her natural ability and magnetic energy.

A natural-born mover, Nicole’s rhythm, fluidity, and presence catch the eye. Her imaginative and spirited approach infuses performance with curiosity and joy, turning the stage into a playground of emotion and imagination. She views dance as a living conversation between body, space, and story.

With a background in multi-disciplinary performance including burlesque, go-go dancing, salsa dancing and physical theatre, Nicole embraces dance as storytelling, sensation, and connection. Her artistry is rooted in the belief that movement and dance can be a vibrant language of feeling and discovery. Nicole’s genuine essence brings compelling vitality to the stage, inviting audiences to enjoy dance in its purest form.

Jodie Lonsberry

Dancer

Tia James

Apprentice

Tia James (she/her) is a multidisciplinary dancer from Asquith, Saskatchewan. She trained for 16 years at Rhythms Dance Studio and has been a longtime performer with the Hungarian Society of Saskatoon, dancing at cultural events since the age of 8.

Tia’s technical foundation includes ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, acro, and tap—having completed all CDTA tap exams. She performed as a Snow Maiden in the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker (2017) and participated four times in the Youth Ambassador Folkfest Gala, where young cultural representatives from various pavilions taught and performed a collaborative piece featuring short segments of traditional dances from around the world. This experience deepened her appreciation for cultural exchange through movement.

New to Free Flow Dance Theatre Company, Tia brings a vibrant curiosity and passion for connection. Currently studying biomedical sciences, she embraces dance as both a creative outlet and a source of balance. She feels music deeply and is inspired by the way energy flows through sound and space. For Tia, dance is a language of self-expression and learning—one that constantly grows through shared movement and community.

Board of Directors

Shannon Swelka, chair

Shannon is a librarian, mother, writer, and recreational thrifter who just moved back to the Caswell Hill neighbourhood after a couple of years in Hampton Village. She took her first burlesque class in 2017, has been performing with the Rosebuds for the last three years, and enjoys volunteering for events at the dance studio. A professional librarian, she currently works behind the scenes at the Saskatoon Public Library and has experience in HR, assessment, and policy writing.

Clint Simpkins

Clint is a Carpenter and along with his wife Gloria they have been acquaintances and supporters of Jackie and the Free-Flow Dance Company for a number of years:  helping out with personal transport when able, being patrons for numerous events and performances, as well as building sets and providing carpentry/woodworking services for Jackie and the troupe.  Clint and Gloria are participants in social dancing (ballroom) and are patrons of the arts: symphony, dance, live Theatre, plus modern/historical artworks. Clint is a past director/ lifetime member of the Bergheim Community Association and a member/ past president of the Saskatoon Millennium Lions Club. 

Neaera (Nea) DeMuri

Neaera is a self taught visual artist and recently became a stay-at-home parent of three. They were born in Saskatoon, and grew up in Caswell Hill. Nea first got involved with Free-Flow when they joined their first Rosebud burlesque class in 2008. Since then Nea has been involved with Free-Flow as a performer, a body painter, a poster designer, a volunteer, a student, and of course, an enthusiastic audience member. Nea is a jack of all trades having worked in a wide assortment of jobs, but is most happy working in the artist community. Nea has two left feet but loves to dabble in dance anyway, especially enjoying lindy-hop, bellydance and pole dance.

David Forbes

David is/was a longtime resident of the Caswell neighbourhood where Free Flow Dance Theatre resides. He cares deeply for culturally rich communities, appreciating the value that all the arts bring to our lives. He believes very much that Free Flow is such an organization and wants to help the dance company flourish and grow even more. David is a teacher turned local MLA for Saskatoon Centre now fully retired and enjoying it! David served in Premier Lorne Calvert’s cabinet as Minister of Environment and then Labour. While active as an MLA until the election of 2020, he supported and facilitated links between community groups, governments at all levels and with local business. David gets that this is where the real energy lies and Free Flow can be that vibrant medium for us!

Terri Bear-Linklater

I am a proud First Nations woman from Muskoday First Nations. My current position is working
full time as an Arts Ed. Teacher at Ernest Lindner School. I provide prep for teachers from kindergarten to Grade 5. My previous school was Confederation Park school, which has now changed its name to Wahkohtowin and I was at this school for 7 years. I provide prep time for the teachers from Kindergarten-Grade 5 both in the English and Cree Culture programs. I have incorporated my husband, Lyndon Linklater to come and talk about Treaties & Reconciliation to my classes as he is the Number 1 speaker for the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, and my students loved him! I still do incorporate his knowledge into my classes as this is needed during these difficult times with the grave sights that have been found at various Residential Schools across Canada. I base much of my programming on literacy connecting books and reading to art related activities and my students loved this kind of dynamic in my teaching skills. I’m also the choir director and I teach ukulele and I host a ukulele club for my older students. I love being an Arts Ed teacher because I am passing on my passion for the arts to my students.

I’m an accomplished musician as I play acoustic/electric guitar and I’m a singer/songwriter for an all-girl band and the band name is All Girl Chill. This is one of many things that I do in my spare time. I have been involved in the dance community for over 30 years now. My form of dance that I do is Flamenco and Middle East Dance, more commonly known as belly dancing. I’m also a troupe member of the Rosebud Burlesque Club and been a proud member for 7 years now.

Kate Matthews

Kate Matthews is a wardrobe stylist and brand consultant working with non-profit organizations, businesses, entertainment productions and public figures including musicians, actors, models, politicians and athletes. Kate has worked with local organizations such as Dress for Success, SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival, Remai Modern and SaskMusic. Her national placement and client list includes the JUNO Awards, Canadian Country Music Association, ELLE magazine, Globe & Mail, National Post, CityTV, CBC, CTV, GLOBAL TV and the Food Network. Outside of work, Kate enjoys dancing with the Rosebud Burlesque Club, spending time with family, friends and her three cats—Stella, Charlie and Aria.

Lia Storey Gamble

Lia Storey-Gamble is a dedicated community leader, advocate, and based in Saskatoon. With a background in policy writing, non-profit work, and education, Lia has consistently championed inclusive and equitable spaces for all. She holds a degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the University of Saskatchewan, where she served as VP Operations and Finance for the USSU, managing a multi-million dollar budget and gained valuable experience in leadership and financial management.

A lifelong volunteer and activist, Lia has supported numerous causes, including LGBTQIA2S+ rights, disability advocacy, and climate action. Her experience as a policy writer and lobbyist enables her to navigate complex systems and drive meaningful change. Lia is passionate about fostering environments where everyone can feel seen, heard, and valued. She is dedicated to creating opportunities and driving meaningful change. Her passion for equity and justice inspires her ongoing efforts to make a positive impact in her community.