EDe Staff
Enid Smith
Artistic Director
Enid Smith 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. In New York City she worked with Ivy Baldwin Dance, The Merce Cunningham Repertory Understudy Group, Anita Cheng Dance, and MAC Cosmetics. Since moving to the Chicago area 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. Enid has had the pleasure of working with students at Dance Center Evanston, The Rooted Space, Dovetail Studios, Arlington Dance Academy, University of Kansas, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, New Trier High School, and Wisconsin Dance Masters.
Rachel Molinaro
ede2 Artistic Director
Rachel Molinaro is a professional performer, choreographer, administrator and educator in Chicagoland. An alumni of Northwestern University, Rachel has danced professionally with companies such as Project Bound Dance, Striding Lion Performance Group and Kelly Anderson Dance Theatre and currently creates her own work as an independent artist. Rachel is the Program Coordinator for Northwestern University's EPICS Program which provides career services for arts and communication students 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 the director of the Chicago Public School Senn Arts magnet program and the founding manager of Dovetail Studios, where she also led dance and fitness classes. This is Rachel’s fourth season as Artistic Director of ede2. Her past productions with the company include: On Your Mark (2023) celebrating childhood games, Whodunit? (2024) a dance mystery with a live jazz band and When I Grow Up (2025) a retrospective of childhood dreams and ambitions. Her new production in 2026 entitled The Little Dancer: A Reimagining of Le Petit Prince will feature an original score composed by local artist Tim Corpus and is set to premiere at Studio5 on April 25 & 26.
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Photo by Ren Freeman
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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
Olivia Lemmenes 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.
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Photo by Ren Freeman
Macala Bartucci
EDE Director's Assistant
Macala Bartucci is a dedicated, passionate, and ever-evolving dance artist. Originating from the Chicagoland area, Macala began her early dance training at the Dance and Music Academy under the direction of Krissie Odegard Geye and Carrie Patterson, and most recently, graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. Continuing her professional endeavors, Macala has had the privilege to work on multiple projects with gracegallagherdance, a collective that aims to make dance accessible, unite communities, and empower emerging artists. Macala is so excited to work with Evanston Dance Ensemble and to connect with the next generation!
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Photo by KT Miller Photography
Béa Rashid
Founder
Béa Rashid 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.
