Company & Directors
Richard Smith
Artistic director
Richard Smith is currently on faculty at Joel Hall Dance Center and The Giordano Dance Center as well as being a jazz instructor for Cerqua Rivera Dance Company. He has been on Faculty at the Giordano Dance Center in years past and is still affiliated with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago as well as River North Chicago Dance Company. He attended East Carolina University in North Carolina where he worked with Mia Michaels, Mark Dendy, Katiti King and Frank Chaves, Alan Arnett and Tommi Overcash-Galaska. After college Smith moved to Chicago to train with GJDC. He has since had the opportunity to work with great teachers and choreographers including the late Gus Giordano, Randy Duncan, Sherry Zunker, Elijah Gibson and Eddy Ocampo. He has had the privilege to perform in Dance For Life and Dance Chicago multiple times as well as numerous other performance venues including the Goodman Theater and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Smith has appeared in the commercials for “The Wedding Singer” National Tour and Phillips Magnavox. He has performed on stage with pop artists Kim English, Pat Hodge, Barbara Moran and Byron Stingly. He had the privilege of working with Sir Elton John on this last tour to Chicago. Smith is a teacher of all ages for several workshops and private studios in the Chicagoland area. He is a regional and national adjudicator and teacher for Applause Talent Presentations in addition to teaching and choreographing for workshops and companies across the country. Smith is the Assistant Director of Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, winner of the 2007 Leo’s Gold Shoe Award at Jazz Dance World Congress. He is overly excited and proud to be the new Artistic Director of Inaside Chicago Dance Company!
Anne Gollenberg
Associate Artistic director
Anne Gollenberg, originally from New York, received her B.A. in dance from Point Park University, with an emphasis in jazz. At Point Park, Ms. Gollenberg had the privilege of working with many acclaimed choreographers such as Robert Battle, Randy Duncan, Pattie Obey, and several Point Park faculty members. Anne was honored to perform Hubbard Street’s Read My Hips, David Parsons’ The Envelope, Ruth Page’s Bolero, and was a featured soloist in Petipa’s Don Quixote. Ms. Gollenberg was awarded many scholarships such as the Young Artist Award in 1999, and the Nicole Marie Falbo in 2000. After moving to Chicago Anne continued her training at the Giordano Dance Center within the Scholarship program, and the Invited Artist Program with River North Chicago Dance Company. Anne has been a guest performer at numerous venues including Dance Chicago and Thodos New Dances and will be Director of the North Shore School of Dance Junior Repertory Dance Ensemble. Anne has thoroughly enjoyed the transition Inaside has gone through this past year and would like to thank Richard and the dancers for their faith and support.
Mary Baumgardner-Williams
Marketing Director
Mary Baumgardner Williams was born and raised in Harrisville, MI. She attended Western Michigan University and earned her B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Dance and English. While at WMU, Mary had the honor of performing in pieces choreographed by Paul Taylor, Gus Giordano, and Derrick Evans as well as performing at the Kennedy Center. Upon graduation, Mary moved to Chicago to continue her training on scholarship at Gus Giordano Dance Center as well as two years at the River North Summer Intensive. Some of her professional performance credits include: For the Cause, Inaside Dance Project, Dance Chicago, Thodos New Dances, and the International Choreographers Showcase. Mary’s choreography credits include IDP ‘07 and ’08, Bye Bye Birdie, Thoroughly Modern Millie and most recently her choreography was showcased in Tianjin, China. Aside from teaching at several studios in Chicago, Mary is currently the Marketing Director for Inaside. Mary would like to thank her husband and family for being amazing!
