VIDEO: Nigerian Boy's Dancing Goes Viral; Receives Scholarship in the U.S.

Anthony Mmesoma Madu has received scholarships from the American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Beyond Borders.

By: Aug. 09, 2020
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

A video of a young Nigerian boy dancing outside went viral, and sparked interest from prestigious dance programs in the United States.

The video was even recognized by Viola Davis:

According to Hurriyet Daily News, the boy, Anthony Mmesoma Madu, has received scholarships from the American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Beyond Borders, where he will train in the U.S. next year.

USA Today reports that Cynthia Erivo sponsored Madu's training and helped bring the video to the attention of the American Ballet Theater.

"When my friends see me dancing, they feel like, what is this boy doing, is he doing a foreign dance?" he said. "Now I have won a grand prize to go to the U.S. ... I will be in the plane and this is what I am waiting for, and ballet has done it for me."

Leap of Dance Academy, where Madu currently trains, also received a flood of donations. The academy teaches its students for free. Founder Daniel Ajala Owoseni said he will use the money, and fame, to promote ballet in Nigeria.

Watch the original video of Madu below:

As a dance school in Africa, and Nigeria to be precise our academy stands to educate our audience that ballet is here to stay; "It's for both boys and girls'' said Anthony Mmmesoma Madu. (When ballet was created 400 years ago, it was created for men. Men were the first dancers. a @collagedance ) Special shoutout to all parents who have have allowed their boys to dance. Speaking from the Nigerian perspective most children are enrolled in school to have a white collar job but never to become a dancer. We hope supportive and inspirational mom like Anthony's mom has given us a reason for early child talent discovery. We are the Nigerian ballet school. A heartfelt thank you to our partners @blacksinballet @ingridsilva @jmentzos @fabiocmariano @m.s.t_dance_center @ruangaldino @travelingtutusinc @fernandomontan0 @thalemawilliamsstudiosusvi @grishkoworld @nikolayworld @bbcnews @graceekpu @balletnoire @abtschool @hurkmanslinda @katwildish #boys #blackboydancetoo #boyswillbeboys ##boyscan #blackboysrock #blackdancers #goboy #dancer #blacklivesmatter #qualityaboveall #nigerianballetschool #nigeria #leapofdanceacademy #vocationaltraining #boys #dancingintherain #viralvideo #vocationalballetschool #goon #bbc #bbcafrica #bbcnews #2020

A post shared by Leap of Dance Academy (@leapofdanceacademy) on Aug 5, 2020 at 3:04pm PDT



Comments

To post a comment, you must register and login.
Vote Sponsor


Videos