“Lourds is uncrushable, especially in her mission to help others find their inner superhero… I really got to know Lourds when I signed her up to open and close the inaugural Forbes Women’s Summit with empowering musical talks (she’s a classically-trained prodigy on violin and piano at age three). Lourds beats to the music of her own drummer, with a wonderful combination of smarts, confidence and curiosity. She makes me think differently and dream bigger.”
– Denise Restauri (Producer, Forbes Women)
The SuperYou FUNdation was built off the passion and heart of our founder, Lourds Lane. Also known as the superhero “Shine,” her “superpower” is love, and you feel her love shine the moment you meet her. Lourds created the arts and music-infused SuperYou programs and curriculum to empower global youth and adults to connect to their unique power and authenticity. Her goal is to connect people to love, joy, and abundance that is overflowing right now so students feel inspired to give back to the world.
“Lourds is an inspirational fireball. During her trips to Uganda with SuperYou, her interactions with our school, villages, and children were truly inspiring. I have never seen our children so excited, happy, and engaged.”– Mark Bertrand, (Founder, The Giving Circle Africa)
“I deal with a lot of people with different behavior programs for students but I think that for Lourds, this isn’t a product that she’s selling. It’s a part of who she is and people instantly feel loved, cared for, and empowered the minute she walks into a room.”
– Adrienne Edelstein (District 75 Field Support Liaison, NYC Department of Education)“Lourds has a relentless, visionary leadership that is infectious and inspiring.”
– Gary Hecht (NYC Superintendent)
Lourds was a 2023 recipient of The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, an Actor’s Equity Association Paul Robeson Award finalist for dedication to the betterment of humankind, winner of the Ideagen Global Leadership award, and a two-time Fred Ebb musical theatre award finalist. She wrote the book, music, lyrics, co-arrangements/orchestrations, and originates the role of “Rise,” the electric violin-playing superhero misfit of the Broadway and West-End-bound musical, SuperYou. “Songs from Lourds Lane’s SuperYou Musical” was celebrated to standing ovation crowds for two sold-out nights at Carnegie Hall and one sold-out concert at the West End’s Lyric Theatre in London.
Forbes: This Artist Discovered Her Inner Superpower Creating Her Own Musical
Lourds inspires global audiences with uplifting and transformative music-infused talks and keynotes as a celebrated guest at TEDWomen, TEDYouth, the United Nations, Forbes Women, The NYC Department of Education Social Emotional Conference, The United Federation of Teachers Parent Conference, and even a Ugandan Women’s prison,. She is a children’s book author and director/writer/ composer for “Sesame Street.” Lourds was the founder and creator of a woman-strong musician community called The Medusa Festival and the lead singer / multi instrumentalist of her own nationally touring rock band. Motivated, diligent, and passionate, Lourds, a Filipino-American was classically trained on piano and violin at age three, valedictorian of her high school, and a Harvard honors grad.
“Lourds Lane charmed the TEDWomen audience by playing her violin and sharing the story of her life from child musical prodigy to adult “superhero” self.”
– Pat Mitchell (Emmy Award winning journalist and producer)“The brilliant musical talent, Lourds Lane, brought a nearly audible sigh of relief from this Type A crowd when she implored us to embrace our flaws, sharing her poignant personal story through her violin, singing and storytelling.”
– “Top Ten Takeaways on Innovation from TEDWomen” (The Huffington Post)
Melissa M. Jones believes wholeheartedly in the mission of The SuperYou FUNdation and is thrilled to be using her experience in the performing arts, management, and relationship building to empower and inspire young “superheroes.”
She is the producer of SuperYou Musical and a former VP in the credit card processing industry for 20 years, as well as a cabaret performer and investor/producer on productions including “Allegiance”, “Come From Away”, “Jagged Little Pill” and “SuperYou the musical”.
Her career has spanned across the financial industry and corporate management, as well as touring & performing at Lincoln Center, being featured on reality TV, producing her own cabaret show, and other theatrical productions.
Melissa is a BSU Dept of Theatre & Dance graduate of Ball State University and Alumni board member.
