Keeping pace with Nico Archambault, Montreal-based dancer and choreographer, is like tracking a moving target. He modestly admits that becoming the winner of CTV’s So You Think You can Dance Canada last year has opened up a lot of new opportunities and projects. This includes dancing with Janet Jackson for her new video “Make Me,” dancing at the American Music Awards and an upcoming TV role as ballet great Rudolph Nureyev.
Recently Nico, also an artist, collaborated with Montreal based clothing retailer TXT CARBON to raise money for a charity of Nico’s choice. They designed a limited edition “Stand UP! Rise Above” T-shirt to help PREVNet, a national network working to eliminate bullying in Canada.
Nico has experienced bullying firsthand as a teenager. He wants people to know bullying is an issue … it’s there. Proper education, information and support can help people rise above it. “When you are caught up in the situation it may seem overwhelming. Don’t let it change who you are or what you stand for.” Most importantly Nico feels people need to talk about it … whether it is with a parent, teacher, counselor or friend. Learning how to face it and react to it can make you a stronger person. “I wouldn’t not be who I am today without that experience.”
Nico also took his message to one of the Stand-up Rallies for The Family Channel Bullying Awareness Week, also a major supporter of PREVNet. There he got to speak to a Vancouver Elementary School who were just as thrilled to meet him.
Nico’s upcoming project in 2010 include choreographing a new musical, Le blues d’la métropole, based on the songs of the seminal Quebec rock group Beau Dommage, participating in the next season of CTV’s So You Think You can Dance Canada and maybe the jiggle of some wedding bells.
To purchase the Tshirt visit www.txtcarbon.com/2009/nicos/buy