Bio

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Clara Martinez is an artist, educator, and engaged resident in Lansing, Michigan. Currently serving as the Administrative Coordinator for the Capital Area Housing Partnership, she is skilled in community engagement, neighborhood relations, organizational capacity building, and uniquely, dance. Clara has had the privilege of serving the communities of Lansing in a variety of ways. Through her background in dance, Clara serves as the Dance Director at Everett High School for the Visual & Performing Arts, where she is the lead dance faculty, artistic director of student dance companies, and has assisted in establishing the Everett Dance Boosters Club as well as the Everett Dance Alumni Association. Prior to Everett, Clara’s professional start in Lansing was in serving Lansing’s strong neighborhoods. As the Community Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA for the City of Lansing Mayor’s Office. These initiatives have led to the development of a Department of Neighborhoods & Citizen Engagement in the City of Lansing. In her life as a Lansing resident, she currently serves on Mayor Schor’s Arts & Culture Commission, Mayor Schor’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, and the Michigan Dance Council Board of Directors. Clara is a member of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and was awarded the Artist in the Community Grant for 2016-2017. Clara received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The Ohio State University.