Columbia (WACH)—Local viewers and fans of the Fox Network’s So You Think You Can Dance will feel an extra connection to Thursday’s episode of the hit show, now in season 8, as former Irmo resident Justin Giles will be choreographing the opening number. This is Justin’s third appearance on the show.
Justin and his wife moved to Los Angeles last year and opened a dance studio called Soul Escape, and choreograph all over the country. He was also a winner in Ed McMann’s Star Search and Hawaii’s Destination Stardom. It was his studio and students that caught the eye of So You Think You Can Dance producers. “It’s a secret dream of all chorographers that they will get noticed,” says Justin’s mother, Nancy Giles, who said that when she received the call from Justin about being asked to work with the show, there was screaming, crying, and laughter.
For Justin, whose family owns The Southern Strutt Dance Studio, dancing and choreography is nothing new. Nancy Giles, says all of her children grew up in dance, performing at recitals at young ages. According to Nancy, 2 of her 5 children have made dance and performance a career. Justin’s older sister, Tawney also spent some in Tinsel Town, working in film, television, and even releasing a country-pop album.
Nancy also said that Justin, along with several of the choreographers and contestants from the show will be in town next week, helping to host this years Southern Strutt Boot Camp 2011.
So You Think You Can Dance airs on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s on WACH Fox.
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