Dizzy Feet Foundation for Dance Announced by Nigel Lythgoe on "So You Think You Can Dance"

"So You Think You Can Dance" co-creator Nigel Lythgoe yesterday made two exciting announcements: the creation of the Dizzy Feet Foundation for dance standards and education as well as for introducing dance to disadvantaged children, and a performance by Katie Holmes on his show on July 23, with her appearance fee donated to Dizzy Feet.

Lythgoe, who has a long and illustrious career as a dancer, choreographer and video producer for choreographed events, channels his experience as well as resources from his success in producing dance-related shows and video. An outspoken and controversial figure at times, Nigel is also known for his role in developing and producing the show that became "American Idol." Lythgoe provides updates on the foundation and his other activities through Twitter as 'dizzyfeet'.

On a website created in the last few weeks, the mission of the Dizzy Feet Foundation is described as threefold: "to provide scholarships and grants to talented dancers, choreographers and teachers working at accredited dance studios"; to create a "gold standard" for dance accreditation; and to work with community organizations to bring dance education to disadvantaged children. The creation of the accreditation standard is designed, they say, to "increase and standardize the quality of dance education" over a broad variety of styles including everything from ballroom to hip hop.

Founders of the Dizzy Feet Foundation are listed as Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator, producer and judge of "So You Think You Can Dance," director Adam Shankman, judge Carrie Ann Inaba of "Dancing with the Stars," and actress Katie Holmes. The foundation's board is described as "some of the most illustrious names in the American dance community." Katie Holmes is slated to appear July 23 on "So You Think You Can Dance," notes E! Online, in a performance to benefit the foundation which will honor the late Judy Garland.

Scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $7,500 per year will be available from the foundation, with application information available in the near future, according to the website. The foundation is also involved in funding and bringing dance education to children in low-income areas, providing opportunities not only for future Michael Jacksons and Debbie Allens, but for all children to experience "the lifelong benefits of dance education."

Harnessing the worldwide success of his dance and talent shows as well as his own broad and lengthy experience in the field of dance, Nigel Lythgoe and his colleagues in the new Dizzy Feet Foundation are turning dance from vicarious enjoyment to a vital part of American cultural and physical education.

http://www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org/

"SYTYCD Top 14 Meet Aliens, Broadway, Classical Ballet ...and Katie Holmes ", Natalie Finn, http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b132356_sytycd_top_14_meet_aliens_broadway.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Lythgoe