About Fluence Arts

Kristy Clement graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance in 2012 and was a recipient of the Kathryn Karipides Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Field of Contemporary Dance. Prior to this she received her Bachelor of Arts in English and a Minor in Dance from Albion College in 2007 where she was given the Outstanding Dancer award two years in a row. She also held an internship at the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York City in 2005 where she began her research for her undergraduate thesis.   Clement has had the opportunity to perform and choreograph as a student, guest artist, and professional.  

During her time as a member of The Greater Lansing Ballet Company in 2009, she was named an Emerging Choreographer by the Regional Dance America Festival.  In Cleveland she taught at the university level and performed in various projects including Groundworks Dance Theater’s Rite of Spring and at Cleveland Public Theatre's Pandemonium.  She performed and choreographed as a member of the modern dance company, DDCdances of Detroit, MI in 2014-2015. She has choreographed several musicals for the Albion College Theatre beginning with Cabaret as a student in 2004 and continuing through the present with shows such as Sweet Charity and Ordinary Days. 

She has produced and performed in three performances in the Albion community, most notably Potential Movement, a performance at the Ludington Center in 2017 that was attended by around 150 community and college members. 

For many years Clement worked with Melissa "Missy" Wyss, the founder and main instructor of the Albion College Dance Program.  In 2022, Clement donated a digitized collection of performance video and photos from the college's dance program to the Albion College Library Archive and Special collections as well as a written history of the program highlighting the influence dance has had on the Albion community over time. 

Clement currently holds the position of Loss Prevention Manager for Walters-Dimmick Petroleum where she enjoys the many opportunities for project work and business and personal development.  Having established this career path, she decided to develop the non-profit organization, Fluence Arts Organization, to not only remained connected with the dance world, but to continue Missy Wyss's legacy of making dance happen as much as possible, exposing as many people to dance as possible and creating opportunities for dancers to perform. 

Sean McCluskey is a hard-working husband and father, who prides himself on his intelligence and impeccable work-ethic. From machine work to satellite dish installation, he’s dabbled in many areas of employment, though, his true passion remains in the restaurant industry. Sean has proudly been a chef for over 15 years, experiencing several various forms of culinary expression. He now resides at the Medallist Golf Course Tavern in Marshall, where he works as a chef.  

He’s a vegan, animal loving, do-it-yourself(er), who enjoys spending his down time hanging out with his family and their pets. His resourcefulness, expanse of knowledge, and respect for the arts provides support and stability for this up-and-coming nonprofit organization, making him a perfect Vice President.  

Susan Clark was born and raised in Albion, MI. She graduated from Concord High School in 1976. In 1978 Susan married her husband, Scott and the two will be married 46 years this October. In 1991 they became the parents of their only child, Hilary. Susan's husband and daughter both attended Albion Public Schools.

Susan began her career at Albion College in 1977. She had many roles at the college. Beginning in the bookstore and then going on to the Accounting/Finance Department. In 1991 she transferred to the Facilities Dept., where she found her home. She was Purchasing Manager for the college for about 15 years. Susan left the college after 44 years, and finished her working years at Starr Commonwealth. She is now retired, however, staying very busy!

She is a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she volunteers in several different capacities. Her major position is Assistant Treasurer. She has also served on several committees, taught Sunday School, and has played in the handbell choir.

Susan enjoys golfing, and currently plays on 2 leagues, one with her husband. She enjoys gardening and loves to see the fruits of her gardens.

Susan Clark brings her love for her community as well as her knowledge as a treasurer to her position as a board member of Fluence Arts Organization. She looks forward to the positive influence dance arts can have on the community. 

Pamela A. Smith was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her parents and school

teachers nurtured what has become a lifelong love of learning and the arts. Pam graduated

from Swarthmore College where she majored in English Literature and minored in Art History.

After college, Pam explored her dual interests – the visual arts and mental health service – in

various formative jobs and classes prior to moving to Austin in 1988 to attend graduate school.

Pam obtained her Master’s degree in Social Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

from the University of Texas at Austin.

Since receiving her doctorate, Pam has provided mental health services in public and Federal

health care settings in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley. From 2007

to 2018, Pam worked at the Austin VA where she developed the Family Services Program and

provided individual, family, couples, and group therapies to Veterans and their loved ones.

During her down-time in Austin, Pam discovered Ecstatic Dance influenced by Gabrielle Roth’s

“Five Rhythms”. Pam instantly fell in love with the weekly classes and attended one to three

sessions a week for several years. Pam experienced first-hand the uplifting, settling, and

healing power of dancing in community.

In 2018, Pam decided to pursue a system-wide position with the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend

Health Care System in Harlingen, Texas. Among her other duties, Pam had the opportunity to

develop the health care system’s participation in the National Veterans Creative Arts

Competition. It was a “dream come true” for her to integrate her love of the arts within her

role to support Veterans’ mental health recovery and wellness.

Pam engaged Veterans, community members, arts organizations, VA leadership and public

affairs, and her colleagues to support local Veterans’ involvement in the arts. It was Pam’s

passion to nurture Veterans’ creativity and assist them in entering competitions and displaying

their work at VA, community museums, and art centers. Veterans have taught Pam more about

the healing power of creating and sharing art.

In September 2024, Pam retired from VA and in November moved to Marshall to join her

fiancé, Jeff Wilson (former professor at Albion College). While attending Kristy Clement’s

“History of Art in Albion” presentation, Pam was inspired to connect and support Kristy’s

mission to bring dance to Albion. Pam felt she met a kindred spirit. Dance is for everyone and

dance can bring people together across divides and differences.

Rowan McCluskey is a very spirited and motivated individual. While maintaining her place with Fluence Arts, she balances her time with her jobs and school. Working as the media manager over summer, she helped to make the first Fluence Arts concert possible! She graduates from Marshall High School this year and is employed at the Medalist Golf Club, working as a line cook in the kitchen. 

In her free time, Rowan enjoys making food, running, listening to music, and reading. She has a curious passion for cooking, which came from her father, naturally. Her hope is to further her culinary talents after graduation and attend college for business. Rowan brings an array of creativity and perseverance to the table. This makes her a wonderful addition to the team.