11-Year-Old Nigerian Boy Gets Scholarship from NY Dance School after His Barefoot Ballet Performance Went Viral

The video of young Anthony Madu’s dancing in the rain in front of his dancing academy in Nigeria attracted millions. Today, Madu is gracefully spinning with a group of dancers in black leggings, a white turtleneck, and with poise beyond his years.

His career is heading in a totally different path than the one his parents imagined for him-they wanted him to become a priest.

But, the boy has instead captivated millions with his dancing talents. The young talented boy says that when he’s dancing, he feels as if he’s on the top of the world.

The Boy Got a Scholarship after a Video of Him Dancing in the Rain Went Viral

A video of the boy dancing barefoot in the rain on concrete outside of his training studio went viral with more than 15 million people watching his joyful leaps and pirouettes.

Thanks to the viral video, the boy got called by the American Ballet Theatre which also gave him a scholarship and arranged him proper internet access for virtual training.

Next year, he’ll train in the US thanks to a scholarship from the Ballet Beyond Borders.

The boy said that when his friends see him dancing, they feel like ‘what he’s doing, is he doing a foreign dance?’ Now, he has won a major prize to go to the US and will be in the plane and this is what he’s waiting for and what ballet did for him.

Nigeria’s Strive to Promote Ballet as an Important Art

The impressive video also led to numerous donations to the Leap of Dance Academy which gives lessons to students free of charge.

The founder, Daniel Owoseni said he’ll use the money and current fame to promote ballet in Nigeria, a country where it’s not very popular.

He wanted to bring a type of art which shows discipline, commitment, and dedication. And, the students who can learn all of these pivotal skills can transfer them into other life areas, believes Owoseni.

Before heading out, don’t forget to check the heartwarming video of the boy’s dance in the rain:

Sources:

WASHINGTON POST

INDIA TODAY