Talking with Shaping Sound's Nick Lazzarini: Dance is in his DNA

In 2005 Nick Lazzarini was the first season winner of the Fox reality show "So You Think You Can Dance." Since then he has been featured in numerous publications, including the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine twice. He has performed with music sensations such as Adele on "Dancing with the Stars," Kelly Clarkson at this year's American Music Awards, and Florence and the Machine at The MTV Video Music Awards. Currently, he teaches on tour for JUMP Dance Convention.

Nick is a founding member of the Los Angeles based dance company Shaping Sound, which is described on its website as "an electrifying mash-up of dance styles and musical genres brought fully to life on stage by a dynamic company of contemporary dancers. In 'After the Curtain,' these visual musicians continue to dazzle audiences as they tell the story of a man fighting to find his creative voice after the death of his one true love. Heart-wrenching, breath-taking and ultimately uplifting, this is one dance show that audiences will remember forever.

On "After the Curtain" Lazzarini collaborates with Emmy Award winning choreographer Travis Wall, as well as dancers Teddy Forance And Kyle Robinson.

EDGE spoke to Lazzarini as the show heads up the East Coast with dates in Atlanta (June 14), Raleigh (June 15), Brooklyn (June 16) and Boston (June 17). For the complete list of Shaping Sound dates, visit the Shaping Sound website.

Bullied?

EDGE: How did you get involved in dance?

Nick Lazzarini: I was five years old and my mom signed me up to take a class at the local rec center.

EDGE: Growing up, did you experience any bullying because of dance?

Nick Lazzarini: Of course! Mostly, in elementary school and junior high. It wasn't until the guys in high school actually realized that I was dancing with hot girls and then it became cool.

EDGE: How did winning season one of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' change your life?

Nick Lazzarini: It changed a lot of things. The show themselves changed the way the world views and appreciates dance more. It really has become a huge phenomenon. It hasn't hurt my career either. I have been given so many new and amazing opportunities that before all this I never dreamed of having.

A dance revival

EDGE: 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'Dancing with the Stars' have really revived the public's interest in dance. As a dancer, are you surprised?

Nick Lazzarini: I think for any dancer, it has been a pleasant surprise. I say it's about time that all dancers got the recognition for all the hard work they do. Plus, it is really cool to see dancers of all genre's now becoming household names.

EDGE: Can you tell us about Shaping Sound?

Nick Lazzarini: The idea started about five years ago when we decided we were tired working for other people. We wanted to create a company and perform shows that were our own creation. Travis Wall, artistic director, got a call to do a reality show and that helped us get a little bit of notoriety and some interest from a producer and the rest is history. So far, it has been amazing.

EDGE: How much of dance is technique or personality?

Nick Lazzarini: It is a little of both. You can have the technique and moves down, but it is the personality that brings the dance and movement to life.

Loves fluttering about

EDGE: Where does your dance inspiration come from?

Nick Lazzarini: As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to perform and dance. It's in my genetic DNA. My grandmother always would say, 'He loves to just be fluttering about.'

EDGE: With four co-founders of the show, how does the creative input work?

Nick Lazzarini: It is definitely a give and take with a lot of work. With this new show, Travis took the reins with the story and Teddy Forance (co-founder of Shaping Sound Co.) and I worked on the choreography.

EDGE: What does rehearsal for the show consist of?

Nick Lazzarini: They usually begin about 11:00 a.m. and end around 7:00 p.m. We always start with a warm-up as a company to help create synergy and teamwork. It is a really strict schedule. It is mostly about having fun and making sure that the audience is going to enjoy themselves.

EDGE: What is next for you?

Nick Lazzarini: I have a very busy summer. After the tour, I am doing some teaching and I am taking some comedy improve classes.

For more information about Nick and Shaping Sound visit visit the Boch Center website.