ARCS MWC welcomed three new members in Jan! The first profiled here is Susan McQuade, who is sponsored by Becky Corcoran. 

Susan is a third-generation University of Michigan graduate! Her bachelor’s is in Botany and masters is in Health Services Administration. For over 19 years, she worked in several hospitals and for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Kaiser Permanente, and for a consulting company. Once her children were born, she worked part-time so that she could devote more time to family, continue her studies in music and dance, and volunteer.

Susan has played the clarinet for over 56 years, and also plays cello, flute and euphonium. She has played in the National Concert Band of America, the Capital Wind Symphony, several local orchestras, and has performed as a soloist in four states and in the Philippines. She's performed at annual Merry Tuba Christmas concerts at the Kennedy Center and in other cities. Susan enjoyed over a decade of volunteering with the Langley High School Orchestra, assisting with publicity articles, concert program editing, fundraisers and trip planning. She also completed a certification program in Early Childhood Music and taught at local preschools.

Susan has studied classical ballet since age 5 and currently spends most of her time as a musician and dancer with a senior performing arts company, Helping Hearts Through the Arts. Their mission is to inspire lifelong movement and love of the arts for senior populations in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, and they perform in nursing homes and senior communities, and teach movement activities. Performing at Capital One Hall is an annual highligh

Susan and her husband, Kinnaird McQuade, Jr., have lived in the Washington, DC area for 37 years. They raised their three children in Great Falls, which has been their home for 25 years. She and her family strongly value lifelong learning and giving back to the community. Susan attended the holiday party and the holiday coffee this past Dec. Joining ARCS MWC enables Susan to continue her family traditions while reconnecting her to her scientific and analytical background.