EDe Staff
Enid Smith
Artistic Director
is a graduate of the contemporary dance program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Enid first began working with EDE as a guest choreographer in 2010 and worked extensively with both EDE and ede2 until taking a leadership role with the company in 2023. As a performer, she worked with Ivy Baldwin Dance, The Merce Cunningham Repertory Understudy Group, Anita Cheng Dance, and MAC Cosmetics in New York City. Since moving to the Chicago, she has performed with Khecari, Same Planet Performance Project, Lucky Plush Productions, Chicago Fringe Opera, North Shore Choral Society, and has presented her own work under the name enidsmithdance. As a teacher, Enid has had the pleasure of working with students at Dance Center Evanston, Dovetail Studios, Arlington Dance Academy, University of Kansas, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, New Trier High School, and Wisconsin Dance Masters.
Eduardo Zambrana
Assistant to the Artistic Director
is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. He has an MFA in Choreography and Performance from the University of Arizona. His work spans stages, film, and non-traditional spaces, with creations for Ten Tiny Dances (AZ), Dance Kaleidoscope (IN), FlorenceDanceOnScreen in Italy, among others. Awarded Best Student Film at Red Rock ScreenDance Film Festival, he recently showcased choreography in New Dances 2023. Eduardo joined Giordano Dance Chicago as an Ensemble member in 2022, and he is profoundly grateful to contribute his artistry with the Chicago community. His dynamic vision continues to shape the global dance landscape, fueled by his passion and creativity.
Rachel Molinaro
ede2 Artistic Director
has been active in the Chicago arts community as a performer, choreographer, administrator and educator for nearly 10 years. After receiving her dual degrees in dance and international studies from Northwestern University, Rachel has danced professionally with companies such as Striding Lion and The Leopold Group and currently creates her own work as an independent artist. Rachel recently worked at the Senn Arts High School staff as their Fine & Performing Arts Program Coordinator and she sits on the board of directors for Project Bound Dance.
Rachel has led a variety of arts schools in program development and outreach, including acting as Dance Program Director at Music House School of the Performing Arts and was the founding manager of Dovetail Studios, where she also led dance and fitness classes.
Matthew Kessler-McMunn
Company Manager
Matthew has been actively involved in the Chicago Dance scene since 2009; dancing with a number of dance companies and independent choreographers, including The Seldoms, Peter Carpenter, Winifred Haun, and The Humans. His experience includes producing dance and performance as a choreographer, workshop facilitator, production manager, event entertainment producer, and instructor. Matthew initially plugged into Evanston in his role as Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at The Recyclery Collective, which is a non-profit educational bike shop in Rogers Park.
Olivia Lemmenes
ede2 Assistant Director
is a professional choreographer, dancer, and educator currently located in Chicago, IL. She trained at Dance Center Evanston for 15 years, then continued her training at Western Michigan University, graduating with a BFA in Dance. Olivia taught at Ann Arbor Dance Classics for two years, where she choreographed for their Youth Dance Ensemble, competition team, and taught numerous dance styles. She has also been commissioned to choreograph for youth, pre-professional, and professional dance companies, such as ede2, MSU’s Orchesis Dance Company, and Dance Uprising. She is a dance artist with the AAPI performance collaborative, IS/LAND, and has had the chance to perform with them in Ann Arbor, San Francisco, and Chicago. Olivia is also now teaching at DCE is excited to be back reaching the next generation of dance artists.
Béa Rashid
Founder
graduated from Northwestern University majoring in theater with a concentration in dance. She has choreographed for numerous professional companies, including the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago
Opera Theatre, and Light Opera Works. In 1994, Béa opened Dance Center Evanston, and in 1997 started the Ensemble. Béa has collaborated with composer and husband, Steve Rashid, on numerous projects, including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and “Leonardo” from Body of Work. Béa and Steve recently opened Studio5, Evanston’s newest performing arts venue. Béa is the recipient of the 1999 Evanston Mayor’s Award for the Arts, and the 2017 Nonprofit/Public Service Person of the Year Award from the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. Béa is the Co-Chairman of the Midwest Committee of the Cecchetti Council of America and holds the highest level Diploma certificate.
