ede board of directors
2025-2026 Board of Directors
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Chris Wallace, Board President
Chris works in software development and logistics in the Chicago area, and has a background in film, photography, and the arts. His daughter's love of dance sparked his interest in and appreciation of EDE.
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Milner Seifert
Milner was choral director at Evanston Township High School for 34 years. Then he taught church music part-time for 19 years. His first encounter with EDE was in 2009 when a friend invited his family to join her at a performance of Alice in Wonderland. He is the father of an EDE (2026-2021) alum.
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Zephyr Balch
Zephyr is an EDE alum and is currently working at Skokie Hospital as an emergency room technician.
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Lauren Biolsi
As a former EDE dancer, Lauren decided to pursue a different path during college at Butler University and majored in English. She now works at Clique Studios, a website design and development company based in Chicago.
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Béa Rashid
Béa is the Founder to the Evanston Dance Ensemble and Director of Dance Center Evanston. Along with her husband Steve Rashid, she runs the Studio5 Performing Arts Venue presenting professional music, dance and spoken word events.
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Johan Tabora
Dr. Johan Tabora is a STEM education researcher and engineering instructor at Northwestern University. He is married to a dancer and is father to two EDE dancers.
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Alex Powers
Alex is a DCE and EDE alumni, and currently is a Chiropractor at The Wellness Revolution.
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Melissa Schleicher
A practicing clinical mental health therapist, specializing in trauma treatment. Melissa regularly engages somatic practices and dance —when applicable— in the healing process.
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Ryan Buhl
Ryan is an attorney specializing in ethics and professional responsibility at a large law firm. Her daughter, Alex, has been a dancer at Dance Center Evanston since 2017. Inspired by Alex’s passion for dance, Ryan was motivated to join the EDE board and contribute to its ongoing success. Ryan enjoys hiking, running, and traveling with her husband and children.​
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Parag Bhayani
Lisa Lauren
Lisa Lauren is a pianist, singer/songwriter and recording artist residing in Evanston with her bandleader husband, Bill Pollack. They have two daughters, one of whom is an EDE alum. Lisa was on the original committee that founded The Fancy Dance, and co-chaired the event for many years. Lisa also works in the event industry as a catering sales manager and event planner.
