Viral Nigerian boy who danced ballet in the rain gets scholarships from dance studios

A Nigeran boy captured many hearts online after a video of him dancing ballet in the pouring rain went viral.

Eleven-year-old Anthony Mmesoma Madu had amazed millions with his graceful pirouettes, which he performed barefoot on wet concrete outside the Leap of Dance Academy, the studio where he trains.

 

 

 

 

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FACTS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM. Behind those fanciful in class beauty and costumes are lots and lots of backstage hard work. With very little or no resources our kids are training to be the best they can. This is not to bring down anyone but to show their high level of dedication and committments to our program. Who wouldn't be proud of them? What teacher wouldn't pray for students who shows/comes to class with so much desire to learn? Kids who are ready to dance with or without conditions. Imagine what more we could achieve if we have more????? DMs for more information. #leapofdanceacademy #covid19 #donation #vocational #nigerianballetschool #travelingtutusincnigeria #danceacademy #danceeducation #weloveyou #growth #weloveourpartners #yeswecan #dancing #learning

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Jun 17, 2020 at 6:32pm PDT

And now it looks like he also caught the attention of not one, but two dance academies.

According to the Washington Post, the American Ballet Theatre granted him a scholarship and arranged internet access so he can attend "virtual training" this year.

Next year, he will train in the United States on a scholarship from Ballet Beyond Borders, the report added.

According to Classic FM, the Leap of Dance Academy also received plenty of donations following the viral video.

The Leap of Dance Academy, founded by Daniel Ajala Owoseni in 2017, teaches kids ballet for free.

"With very little or no resources our kids are training to be the best they can. This is not to bring down anyone but to show their high level of dedication and committments to our program," the studio said in an Instagram post.

According to a recent post, Anthony has been dancing for a little over two years.

"I want to become a professional ballet dancer representing Nigeria internationally," he said.

 

 

 

 

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Meet our student ?? Our summer students' testimony week.?? My name is Madu Mmesoma Anthony, I am eleven years old. I have been dancing for two years and some months. Ballet has helped me to be well behaved, it has also help me to have retentive memory, to be appreciative and committed. It has helped me in so many ways. And I want to become a professional ballet dancer representing Nigeria internationally. Thank you. Class wear @travelingtutusinc #goboy #blacksinballet #nigerianballetschool #vocationalballetschool #boysphotoshoot #boysprogram #balletboys #danceducation #proudlynigerian #boys #balletstudent #summerballetprogram #summer #blackdancers #leapofdanceacademy #blackkids #boyscandancetoo #blackboysrock #nigerianballetschool

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Jul 21, 2020 at 11:11pm PDT

—JCB, GMA News