Luewilla Smith-Barnett, M.F.A., M.ED 

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Luewilla Smith-Barnett is a professional dancer, choreographer and seasoned educator with Chicago Public Schools. She has served as an elementary and high school teacher, math/science specialist, and STEM specialist, and is currently a dance educator at South Shore Fine Arts Academy Elementary School. Luewilla also works as an Arts Teacher Leader with CPS’ Department of Arts Education and as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University, where she co-teaches a Dance/Theater Methods course.  

Luewilla is the founder and artistic director of Eshé Movement Arts, LLC, where she combines her love of STEM and dance through her STEMulating Dance program. A former First Company member of the Joel Hall Dancers, she has choreographed and performed with numerous Chicago community dance and theater organizations, including Mahdi Theater Company, Harlem Theater Company, IDream Productions, Mbari Dance, Folklorico Dance, Spiritwing Dance, and Praize Productions, NFP.  

Her dance journey began at age five at the Doris Jordan School of Dance, where she developed her lifelong passion for dance. Luewilla’s training includes work with Julian Swain, Joseph Holmes, Homer Bryant, and her mentor, Joel Hall. She was introduced to the Dunham Technique in the 1990s and felt a deep spiritual connection to its “Way of Life.”

Luewilla holds master’s degrees in Elementary Education (Roosevelt University) and School Leadership (Concordia University), as well as an MFA in Dance from Washington University in St. Louis. She is dedicated to using dance as a tool for health, STEM skill development, youth empowerment, and social justice.