THREAD uses art-centered and therapeutic workshops to help victims of trauma, says founder Lane Gardner

In founding T H R E A D, Lane combines her life-long belief in the healing power of creative expression with over 25 years of experience as both a performer and arts educator.

A graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM), Lane’s performance credits include leading roles at Lyric Opera Cleveland, Seaside Music Theater and the West End Theater in NYC. In 2015, she released her debut album, Fertile Ground, a heart-rendering and soulful collection of her deeply personal stories on her own label, Third Road Records.

As an arts educator, Lane has taught in public and private schools, special education schools, youth centers and residential summer camps across the country. Lane has also worked with a wide range of arts organizations including The Metropolitan Opera Guild, The Conservatory of Performing Arts, New York Theater Workshop and LILA Women’s Wellness Center.

Through her role as Director of Programming for Music Ascension, she was instrumental in expanding the work Music Ascension offers, consulting with arts partners to design, manage, facilitate staff development and create highly specialized programming to include music and drama therapy. Alongside Founder/Director of Music Ascension, Pete Kalvert, Lane received the 2016 Innovations in Special Education Award from ASAH and the New Jersey School Board Association and the National 2017 Award for Leadership and Innovation in Special Education from NAPSEC. 

Throughout her career, Lane’s passion and dedication to human development through the arts has also led her to create and facilitate workshops and motivational talks for adults, in particular women’s groups, parents of children with special needs, survivors and those who have experienced trauma. She frequently presents her workshop series Stories Connect: The Power of Sharing Your Story at the Jung Center of New York.