Founders Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman announce new name American Dance Movement and a heart-healthy collaboration with American Heart Association
Los Angeles, February 5, 2019 – As co-founders of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance) and Adam Shankman (Hairspray, Step Up) have been encouraging communities to get moving through dance for over 10 years by funding dance education in underserved communities, as well as educating the public on the many benefits of dance, such as improved cardiovascular health, self-confidence, self- expression, social skills, and let’s not forget – FUN!
Dizzy Feet has achieved many milestones over the past 10 years, funding over 1.1 million dollars to 77 community programs, reaching more than 150,000 children in 32 states, and awarding 54 scholarships to deserving dance students. Established by Dizzy Feet’s co-founder Nigel Lythgoe, National Dance Day has become Dizzy Feet’s highly-anticipated annual celebration dedicated to dance, reaching millions of dance enthusiasts across the U.S. While Dizzy Feet’s focus has always celebrated the art form of dance, and its many benefits, a new and expanded vision also includes a robust health initiative. In the spirit of health and dance, the Dizzy Feet Foundation has become American Dance Movement – on a mission to move us all by building healthy communities through dance.
American Dance Movement (ADM) is proud to announce its first health initiative for 2019, a collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), highlighting the importance of physical activity through dance. For the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge, ADM produced instructional dance videos that will be used by school teachers around the country to help students get moving. These videos are packed with cardio- pumping dance steps to help students move their way to heart health, featuring dance talent: Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Allison Holker, sisters Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, Bailey Sok and Tahani Anderson. In supporting the American Heart Association, ADM will increase its impact by reaching more than 37,000 schools and 19 million kids!
Nigel Lythgoe shares, “As a heart attack survivor myself, I know just how important heart health is. It is my sincere hope that the students, teachers and parents we reach through the Kids Heart Challenge will be equally as inspired to dance their way to a healthier heart.” Adam Shankman echoes Nigel’s sentiment, “After spending years visiting community programs supported by Dizzy Feet, I have witnessed first-hand the impact that dance has had in changing the very fabric of these communities we serve. In many cases, it has changed the direction and focus for young people in underserved areas, providing them with a safe and joyous space to learn, create, collaborate, and express. Keeping the arts alive in communities that would otherwise have had no exposure to dance and its many benefits is vital, fundamental, and essential. Now with our expanding vision in the health sector, the American Dance Movement will be able to impact more young lives than ever. Being a part of this movement is the proudest of all my life accomplishments.”
Stay tuned for more announcements from American Dance Movement, and please join us in celebrating our new name, new initiatives, and dance!
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More information about Kids Heart Challenge is available online at heart.org/kidsheartchallenge.