Nigerian Boy from Viral Ballet Video Gets International Scholarship

Lady luck has sure shone on Anthony Mmesoma Madu, the 11-year-old Nigerian boy who became an internet sensation after a video of him dancing ballet in the rain went viral.

The Leap of Dance Academy student has been offered international scholarships after the clip caught the attention of many including Cynthia Harvey, the artistic director of the prestigious New York based, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Dance.

Cynthia Harvey revealed she came to know about Anthony Mmesona Madu after a friend in the UK sent the video to her and she began to immediately try to find him.

“A friend who lives in the UK sent me the video. Within a day, I was trying to find him”, Harvey told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

After sometime, Cynthia Harvey eventually managed to track down Madu and his dance school teacher, Leap of Dance director, Daniel Ajala Owoseni, and helped extend an offer for a full scholarship from one of America’s most distinguished ballet schools, so that Madu could attend the ABT virtual Young Dancer Summer Workshop, a three-week intensive program, according to the outlet.

“A child who shows this much dedication, you just have to help”.

“If there is anything the world has taught us, it’s that we have to inspire all sorts of people and that we all have a lot to learn from one another.

“Providing opportunities for Daniel and Anthony is the right thing to do,” Harvey told the outlet.

People reports that arrangements were also reportedly made for Owoseni to be included in the school’s National Training Curriculum, a two-week course that helps instructors brush up on their skills.

Anthony Mmesoma Madu is one of 12 students who attend the Leap of Dance Academy, a dance school in Lagos founded by Owoseni back in 2017, the BBC reported.

The viral video showed Madu showing off his impressive ballet skills where he danced around barefoot in the pouring rain. Both Nigerian and international celebrities including Viola Davis, shared the video on their social media platforms.

Madu has yet to officially accept any scholarship offers, though ABT is working on getting him internet access so that he can use a laptop donated by supporters, the Enquirer reported.