Free Flow Dance Company

View bios for Past Members of the Free Flow Dance Company.

Jackie Latendresse

Proprietor, Choreographer, Artistic Director, Instructor, Promotions and Marketing Manager.

Growing up in the small rural town Kincardine did not deter Jackie from discovering and cultivating her love of Dance and Art. From a young age she showed the promise of a career in Dance or at least on Stage. Her wonderfully supportive parents Jack and Dorothy were the first ones to send out a supporting hand to push her in the right direction and they have been looking on in wonder ever since.

Jackie Latendresse is an alumnus of the University of Waterloo where she obtained her H.B.A. in Dance with a minor in Fine Arts. She founded the Free Flow Dance Company and its adjoining studio in 1995, in Kitchener Ontario. The Company relocated to Toronto in the winter of 1996. Jackie has been choreographing and producing her own shows since 1993 when she presented her first full evening of dance works at Abstract Machines that Recognise Certain Languages.

Her work has since been presented all over Ontario 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 elitist and for the cultural elite only. Jackie is a slightly anarchistic independent 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 was the recipient of the 1996 Leading Edge Performing Artist Award at the Kitchener Annual Arts Awards Ceremonies this spring. Although she has relocated she maintains strong ties with her originating area. Jackie also received a production grant from the City of Kitchener with which she produced a two day Celebration of Modern Dance. The Celebration presented over twelve different choreographers from all over Ontario.

Jackie Latendresse spent the winter months of 2000/2001 based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan working as a guest artist with Dance Saskatchewan. She was dance co-ordinator and instructor for the EGADZ street youth drop in centre, where she ran modern dance and fitness classes for street involved young women of the downtown area. She is also co-founder of a new support based web site for artists called ineedapatron.org. This "meeting place" for artists and arts supporters will be up and running soon and is free for all artists seeking support or mentorship of any kind.

Jackie has great dreams and aspirations for the future of Free Flow. She looks high and thinks big. She strives to break boundaries and express her innermost feelings and ideals. But for now she keeps dancing across the galaxy.

Kelly Van Damme

Dance has been a big part of Kelly's life for almost three decades, and though she doesn't consider herself one of the world's great dancers, she enjoys the continual learning process. She has been dancing with Free Flow since 2004, and feels lucky to be involved with Jackie Latendresse and her creativity. Kelly also dances with Danza Morena Latin Dance Academy, which she finds challenging and fun. She learned a lot during her early years in Fort St. John, B.C., and at the University of Calgary, but Kelly feels she has learned the most dancing here in Saskatoon.

When she's not dancing, Kelly teaches painting and drawing at the University of Saskatchewan and also works at the Mendel Art Gallery.

Jennifer Rae

Jennifer Rae is a scientist by day, working with Latin, identifications and invasive species. By night, she can be found in a drum circle dancing the waves of energy. An avowed dance enthusiast, a teacher and performer of American Tribal Style Belly dance in Saskatoon since 2002. She has also been a student of Fire Dancing, Egyptian style Belly dance, Flamenco and Bharata Natyam (Indian Classical Dance) and feels all of these styles contribute to her body’s expression and her spirit’s yearning. Jennifer is currently interested in ritual dance theatre, and dealing with themes of transgression and non-duality.

Jennifer is immensely grateful for the opportunities that Jackie Latendresse has given her over the past year with her various dance projects. She is looking forward to dancing with, and learning from the members of Free Flow Dance Company. Jennifer wonders if there might be a place for her corn snake dance partner Lady in the company too…

Erica Jacks

Erica Jacks is originally from Nelson, BC. As a young girl, Erica's parents discovered her love for movement and quickly enrolled her at the local dance studio where she danced all through her childhood and into her adolescence. At the age of 19, Erica decided she wanted to study dance as a post secondary discipline and went on to earn a diploma in Contemporary Dance from Grant McEwan College in Edmonton, AB. Erica then went on to complete a B.A in Contemporary Dance from the University of Calgary.

Erica has just recently moved to Saskatoon to study the movement based bodywork, the Mitzvah Technique and Itcush Method. Along with her studies here, she is thrilled to be a creative member of Saskatoon's Free Flow Dance Company.

Arijana Bacalo

Arijana has been sewing for almost as long as she can remember. Beginning with odd fashion experiments in high school and moving through university, her skills were developed and challenged while working on many theatrical projects. Costuming has become somewhat of a passion for her and she says it has never been as much fun as when working with Free Flow Dance.

She has created costumes for Free Flow for several works including the Adventures of Izzy Scorpio, Lotus, Mythological Requiem and “3” among others. She has also showcased her original creations at various Fundraisers, New years events and a fashion show hosted in Toronto by Free Flow Dance.

The Hamilton Player's Guild is also a common venue for her material expressions - she has costumed everything from epic-cast musicals to minimally cast dramas. She has also created original costumes for an unusual version of A mid summer nights dream. About three years ago, she decided that it would be fun to pay tribute to the King of Rock n' Roll and has been dabbling with rhinestones ever since...

Kathleen Oudit

Artistic consultant, marketing and publicity.

Kathleen could be described as Free Flow's most reluctant performer. Although trained in classical ballet and modern dance, as well having studied vocal music and participated in her high school drama productions, her desire to star in the TV show “FAME” ended with the 80's.

She instead left her hometown of Ottawa to study at the Ontario College of Art, and has worked as a designer, artist and project manager – often at the same time – ever since.

She met Jackie shortly after Free Flow moved into the Noble Street studio next to hers and she thought signing up for some dance classes might be a nice way to get back into shape. The next thing she knew – she was rolling around on stage with Moses Moore wearing nothing but a skin toned “nude suit”. Although honored at this unexpected invitation to perform with a gifted choreographer and talented dancers - she is most proud of her opportunity to contribute her professional talents to Free Flow.

Kathleen has directed photo shoots, fabricated props, dressed hair and makeup, created numerous posters and flyers, designed the new logo and website, and even nagged dance students about their posture. She is currently an art director, producing cover art at Canada's largest entertainment fiction publisher.

Free Flow Board Member Biographies

Sue Williams

Sue brings to Free Flow a passion for the arts, coupled with her long and varied experience in business. She served as the Supervisor Finance for the Ceremonies and Arts Festival of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, and in 1989 she was Director of Finance for the Calgary Winter Festival.

After she and her family moved to Saskatoon in 1989, Sue took on new challenges as a Board Member for the 25th Street Theatre (1990-1992), the YWCA (Member 1993-2002; President 1999-2000) and the Royal University Hospital Foundation (2004-present).

Sue worked for the Saskatoon Health Region for 10 years as Director of Materials Management before establishing her own management consulting business. As an independent business woman, Sue brings the strength of years of experience and insight unparalleled in value.

In her spare time, Sue gives relaxation a run for its money with her various activities including horticulture and a passion for golf.

Meagan Williams

After a long history of commitment to the arts scene in Saskatoon, Meagan is thrilled to take on a new role as Board Member for Free Flow Dance.

At the age of eleven Meagan started her volunteering career for the Saskatoon International Fringe Festival. Over the next fifteen years she worked her way up from usher to merchandise manager, and ultimately to front of house manager ending in 2007 - and is still one of the youngest volunteers in their history to have held such tenure.

In 2001, Meagan performed in a two-woman play that toured the prairie circuit of the Canadian Fringe, and included hands-on experience with every aspect of theatre production. As a result, Meagan brings with her a rich history of personal theatre experience combined with a dedicated volunteer background which benefits Free Flow as a whole.

Meagan is a first year law student at the University of Western Ontario where she plans to blend her fervour for politics, foreign policy and development with the practical skills of a legal education.

Jack Latendresse

As Jackie's father, Jack Latendresse has been involved with Free Flow Dance from Day One. This means that Jack has the unique position of being the only board member whose duties have ranged from financial (investing to fundraising) to hard labour (filming events, building props, to sanding floors).

Though he admits to knowing nothing of dance itself, Jack loves what Jackie does, asserting “What makes her happy makes me happy.”

A retired Ontario Hydro employee, Jack now does occasional contract work at Pickering Nuclear Station as a wiring specialist. Jack also enjoys outdoor activities, and his current project involves the rebuilding of a forty year old canvas cedar strip canoe.

Alan Page

Alan first encountered Free Flow in Toronto around the time of "The Adventures of Izzy Scorpio" (1999), and continues to attend Free Flow performances on a regular basis.

Alan currently performs the duties of webmaster for the Free Flow website, a position he took over a few years ago and has kept up to date ever since. These duties have recently evolved into establishing a home base for Jackie and videotaping services for the Toronto development of the Vaudeville project.

Alan is a self-employed software developer with a particular interest in photo imaging.

Kieran Kobitz

Kieran joins the Free Flow board after volunteering with the Rosebud Burlesque Club since its inception in 2007. His most notable role is the Rosebud's butler where he ensures the stage is kept neat and ready for the next performer. Kieran has also been involved in various Free Flow events from video taping shows to working at Naughty Bingo.

Kieran completed a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing in 2008, where he spent a considerable portion of his studies working on non-profit and social marketing. He looks forward to contributing his marketing skills to Free Flow and helping the organization continue to be innovative and unique. Kieran also has 5 years of experience in personal and commercial banking giving him financial skills to supplement the marketing ideas.

Volunteering has always been a large part of Kieran's life. He has been an advisor for the Junior Achievement company program since 2004 after having completed the program himself in high school. Other organizations Kieran has volunteered for include the Saskatoon Health Region and the Easter Seals.

Denis McBain

Denis McBain has a range of valuable knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. He was raised in small-town Saskatchewan, where he got his first taste of community involvement. He is currently employed as an accountant, and has pursued work ranging from carpentry to small business management. Denis is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, holding undergraduate degrees in accounting and political studies. His volunteer experiences range from individual coaching with the local Open Door Society to participating on the design team for Canadaville, Louisiana. He has served on the executive of non-profit organizations and university-based clubs. With personal experience in theatre and music, is rare to find any style of live performance that he does not enjoy. Denis is currently a student, performer, volunteer, and recruiter for the Rosebud Burlesque Club, and is usually enrolled in classes hosted at the Free Flow Dance Studio.