JANE LOCKWOOD
Civic Leader
Jane and her husband, Luther, have three children. She is a native Charlottean and a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She worked in Washington, London, and Atlanta before returning to Charlotte to start a family. Before children, Jane was a property and casualty insurance producer.
Her daughter, Jane, has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2i/R9(LGMD), and the family is deeply committed and involved in finding a cure for this disease. In 2004, the family helped establish the McColl Lockwood Lab for Muscular Dystrophy Research at Carolinas Medical Center (now Atrium Health). They host a biannual conference in Charlotte, bringing together the best and brightest scientists from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia researching limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Jane is also actively involved with a number of national and international muscular dystrophy collaborations to raise awareness of the disease, offer free genetic testing, create an international registry of patients for clinical trials, provide scholarships to students, as well as promote and encourage scientists to collaborate their findings. The Lab has successfully created a small molecule drug that is in Phase 2 of an FDA clinical trial. In first-quarter 2022 a gene therapy trial will begin using the findings of the McColl Lockwood Lab. Jane will also be a host participant in the Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting with the FDA in September 2022. This is an opportunity to explain the daily life struggles of living with a muscle-wasting disease and educate and encourage the FDA to approve drug therapies for LGMD’s.
Jane is committed to improving Charlotte and helping the neediest of Mecklenburg County. She has served on a number of charitable boards. Currently, she sits on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor’s Philanthropic Council as well as the Women’s Leadership Council, Freedom School Partners Advisory Board, and is serving as an elder at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. In her free time, Jane enjoys exercising, reading, hunting, golf, traveling, and watching UNC basketball.
GET TO KNOW JANE
- Fun fact: I consider myself a semi-professional party starter.
- Why did you choose to support Charlotte Ballet: Having a first-class ballet is vital to our city. The Arts have always played an important role in my life and I love that Charlotte has so much to offer. Whether it’s dance, music or visual art, there is something for everyone to enjoy in our city. I am honored to dance in support of Charlotte Ballet.
- Dancing experience: Promenade with Bubba Gross in the 1980s, plus numerous worldwide band parties.
HUMBERTO RAMAZZINA
Seasons with Charlotte Ballet: 3
Humberto was born in São Paulo, Brazil and started his classical ballet training at age 8. In 2006, he danced at The Escolar de Ballet Ines Amaral. He danced at The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton for two years. Humberto joined Charlotte Ballet II before joining the main company in 2018.
GET TO KNOW HUMBERTO
- Hometown: São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil
- Dancing Since: Age 8
- Describe a meaningful or memorable dance moment: In 2019 my parents visited me after five years since we saw each other. It brought me joy to be able to perform to them and make them proud for all the effort and investment they put into me. There’s just nothing better than seeing your parents proud of you.
- What do you do to de-stress or unwind? During my free time, I like to do Road Cycling. I reached 35 miles in 1:55, winning my first race. I’m looking forward to putting in more miles by the end of the year.
- What has been a highlight from your time with Charlotte Ballet? One of my favorite highlights with Charlotte Ballet was performing with the company in The Groove as a second company dancer. I remember, without any fear, throwing myself into rehearsals, finding my space among all the first company dancers and having their support through rehearsal and on stage. Being able to perform with Charlotte Ballet I, while I was still in second company, was a huge opportunity.
- If I weren’t dancing, I would be: “Finishing college and working in Real Estate, Banking or International Economics.”
MCCOLL LOCKWOOD LAB FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY RESEARCH
The McColl-Lockwood Laboratory for Muscular Dystrophy Research focuses on developing novel therapies for muscular dystrophy, specifically limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Directed by Qi Long Lu, MD, PhD, the lab is a division of the Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS MDA Center, part of Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute and Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute. The laboratory, located in the James G. Cannon Research Center, received funding from the Carolinas Muscular Dystrophy Research Endowment, Atrium Health Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), and federally funded grants.
The McColl-Lockwood Laboratory has established cell cultures, specific reagents, and animal models specific and critically important to therapeutic development for muscular dystrophies. The laboratory continues to make milestone achievements in experimental therapies by its research team of scientists and technicians with specialized training and experience in drug design, pharmacology, and cell and molecular biology. The laboratory includes more than 2,000 square feet of space with state-of-the-art equipment, which enables researchers to focus on cell biology, molecular biology, drug development, and drug testing both in vitro and in vivo. The laboratory also has an academic association with the University of North Carolina Charlotte and Chapel Hill and trains postgraduates and other students.
LEADERS AT A GLANCE
Checkout the fundraising competition live via the Star Dancer leaderboard. Support your favorite Star Pair and cast your vote today by purchasing tickets or making a donation. All ticket sales and donations received are split 50/50 with Charlotte Ballet and the Star Dancer’s chosen charity. $1=1 Vote! On March 5, the People’s Choice Award will be presented to the Star Pair with the most funds raised. Judges’ Choice Award is presented to the Star Pair the judges determine had the best moves.
Total: $1,272,415
Thank you to our sponsors
- Prima
- Relevé
- Plié
- Pirouette
- Arabesque
