11-Year-Old Nigerian Ballet Dancer Gets Scholarship From New York Dance School

A Nigerian boy, Anthony Mmesoma Madu who went viral a few months ago, for dancing ballet barefoot in the rain has secured a scholarship to New York’s prestigious American Ballet Theatre.

The 11-year-old Lagos resident captivated social media users in a video which surfaced online with his dedication to the dance, and his ability to pull of stunning moves in the rain without any shoes on.

Thanks to the international attention the video received, the talented youngster will train with ABT online this holiday as he prepares to travel to the US for more training in 2021.

In the viral clip, Madu is seen outside his dance studio, Leap of Dance Academy, practicing on muddy pavement that is wet from the rain.

“Ballet is my life. When I am dancing, I feel as if I am on top of the world,” he told Reuters.

“Any time my mom sends me on an errand, I dance ballet before I go to that place and it makes me feel very, very happy. I so much love ballet.”

After this video of Anthony Madu dancing in the rain went viral, he’s now been offered a scholarship by the American Ballet Theatre in New York. ♥️ This talented 11-year-old is currently a student of the Leap of Dance Academy in Nigeria. (🎥: @leapofdanceaca1 /@todayshow) pic.twitter.com/UufQYullrk

— E! News (@enews) August 13, 2020