Founder, CEO, Lead Creative Strategist
A creative in the truest sense of the word, Iz Burns has been immersed in music, production, and the performing arts since his birth. Originally from Chicago, Iz grew up surrounded by artists and musicians. This environment fostered a deep interest and admiration for the creative process, as well as an innate attention to the details that go into making and presenting art in a meaningful way. Iz began performing at age nine, playing jazz trumpet. Feeling immediately at home on stage, Iz took a vested interest in the work that happened backstage; viewing event production and strategy as an equally beautiful part of the artistic process. As such, Iz sought to perform, produce, or participate in anything he had the opportunity to be a part of. From joining the Chicago Youth Circus at 10, to producing studio records with his twin brother Eddie Burns at 16, Iz spent his whole childhood in and around stages of all shapes and sizes, experiencing firsthand what makes a creative endeavor successful from all aspects. In time music production and direction became a central passion, and by age 17 it was his full time job. Iz would later go on to study neuroscience and its links to creativity at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, further deepening his understanding and approach to creative strategy through an interdisciplinary lens. Now only 25, Iz has been a collaborator on platinum certified music, toured across the world, and executively produced events hosting up to 5,000 people.
Iz started underscore laboratories with the desire to spotlight the nuance and beauty of the work that happens behind the scenes, within production and creative strategy. Underscore prides itself on its collaborative focus, and strives to build strong and lasting creative relationships. Iz founded underscore with inclusion and accessibility as core tenets and, as such, the firm seeks to platform and support BIPOC, Femme, and Queer identifying artists and professionals in the industry.
@iznburns