11 year old wins scholarship to prestigious Manhattan dance school.
After recording himself dancing in the rain in his back yard, his video went viral and was seen by just the right person, who promptly offered him a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Dance in New York City.
The 11 year old, Anthony Mmesoma Madu, has been learning to dance at the Leap of Dance Academy in his hometown of Badagry on the Nigerian coast.
When the Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis, saw Anthony’s moves online, she tweeted: “Reminds me of the beauty of my people. We create, soar, can imagine, have unleashed passion, and love….despite the brutal obstacles that have been put in front of us! Our people can fly!!!”
Cynthia Harvey, artistic director at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Dance also saw the video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. When she watched it, she was also amazed by Anthony’s skills. She decided to offer him a scholarship.
Until he can get to New York, the school has arranged internet access at home for Anthony, so he can take virtual lessons from the academy this summer.
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