“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.
Dr. Stephanie Soalt is a dedicated naturopathic doctor and creative arts therapist with a rich history of supporting youth and families in achieving optimal health and wellness since 1995. Specializing in working with individuals with special needs, Dr. Soalt offers a compassionate and personalized approach to care, empowering her patients to thrive in body, mind, and spirit. Dr. Soalt blends her expertise in holistic health and creative therapy to foster growth, resilience, and well-being. She currently practices naturopathic medicine and creative arts therapy in Shelton, CT, where she continues to inspire and uplift those she serves.
In 2021, Dr. Soalt joined the SuperYou FUNdation, finding perfect alignment with its mission and values. Drawing on her art therapy expertise and teaching background, she designs engaging cape-making activities for the “superhero” workshops to ensure each participant has a meaningful and successful experience. Through her diverse and impactful work, Dr. Soalt remains committed to empowering individuals and families to embrace their full potential and lead vibrant, fulfilling lives.
A Queens native. Richard is a dynamic storyteller and community advocate with a passion for empowering others through creativity. As a teenager, he was a founding member of Urban Youth Theater, where he developed his skills as an actor, dancer, writer, stage manager, and director. Richard has since worked with off-Broadway productions, corporate brands, and independent creatives, always striving to inspire and connect through the arts.
Richard honed his filmmaking skills under the guidance of a former National Geographic producer, learning the art of storytelling through the lens of production and real-world experience. In the world of dance, Richard served as the right-hand man to the company director of Urban Ballet Theater, mastering the delicate balance of leadership, creativity, and collaboration.
Through his production company, REC Productions, Richard has produced award-winning independent films and established an educational program that teaches young people the fundamentals of filmmaking and editing. His dedication to mentorship extends to his work with the Queens World Film Festival Youth Film Program, where he guided kids in writing, acting, and producing their own short films—sparking their imagination and confidence.
For over two decades, Richard has been a teaching artist extraordinaire, weaving theater, filmmaking, STEM, and storytelling into vibrant after-school programs across New York City. During the pandemic, he took creativity to the next level, teaming up with FAO Schwarz as the whimsical “Professor Atlas” to launch the “Academy of Wonder,” where magic, science, and design leapt off the screen in online classes using store-bought kits.
Now, as both a performer and educator, Richard can be found inspiring young minds across Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan—teaching, performing science as his madcap alter ego “Mr. Rich,” and helping students create their short films.
Mr. Rich becomes a mad scientist, storyteller, and cheerleader for curiosity, lighting up classrooms with interactive lessons that make science and storytelling unforgettable. Wherever he goes, Richard carries his mantra: every child is a storyteller, every idea deserves to shine, and creativity can change the world.