95.9k Likes, 3,354 Comments - Leap of Dance Academy (@leapofdanceacademy) on Instagram: “FACTS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria July 27, 2020. Now after several years of training and effort the dancers have gained more acceptance. Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com, By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our The group doesn’t have a dedicated dance space, and Owoseni has been teaching ballet to the aspiring dancers for free. Copyright © 2020 Channels Incorporated Limited. Well, that wonderful performance is due to the Leap of Dance Academy. Both on your website and other media. Now the academy — which Ajala funds out of his own pocket — has 12 pupils aged between six and 15. This is Leap of Dance Academy - a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa's most populous nation. For now, the Leap of Dance Academy is housed at the home of its founder, Daniel Owoseni Ajala, in Ajangbadi, Ojo, on the western outskirts of Lagos. Daniel Owoseni Ajala, left with his students at the Leap of Dance Academy, in Lagos, Nigeria, Aug. 1, 2020. Daniel Owoseni Ajala has had quite a summer. SEATTLE, Washington — Where ballet meets West Africa, Daniel Owoseni Ajala created the Leap of Dance Academy, a dance school in Badagry, Nigeria. Photograph: Manny Jefferson/The Guardian. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, … The academy currently has 12 pupils aged between six and 15. And when they practice their moves outside around the area they now draw admiring – if sometimes still confused – glances. Instead, he has captivated millions with his ballet. The academy is in a poor (7) ____ of Lagos. Happy teacher's day dearest Mr Daniel Owoseni Ajala. Each cast of The Nutshell! Today, the stereo is not working, because there is no electricity. by … “I want them to be able to express their feelings through dance.”. Ifoma Madu watches on with pride as her son Anthony Madu performs a grand jete leap alongside his classmates. Lagos, Nigeria (CNN) In June, 11-year-old ballet dancer Anthony Mmesoma Madu was filmed barefoot, spinning and leaping gracefully in the air and landing in … Leap of Dance Academy. This is Leap of Dance Academy -- a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa's most populous nation. Privacy Policy. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria July 27, 2020. A viral video has lifted the school’s fortunes and visibility. In Lagos, a Homegrown Ballet Academy Leaps Into the Spotlight A viral video has lifted the school’s fortunes and visibility. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos. We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. “In this area, I know we can’t actually afford the luxury of ballet, or dance education — so I think it’s a beautiful art to introduce to our people here.”. '”, “We want to make sure to show them that this is not a bad dance — ballet is a very disciplined, forward dance that is very important in the growth of a child.”. The lessons are free and shoes and kit provided to the children, most of whom had never heard of ballet before they got involved. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon. This is Leap of Dance Academy — a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa’s most populous nation. “It’s not only about the dance itself,” its founder says, “it’s about the value of dance education.” Stephen Tayo/The New York Times. Leap of Dance Academy is a ballet school in Lagos with an objective to teach classical dance to underprivileged children in Nigeria. The Leap of Dance Academy, founded by Daniel Ajala, is a ballet school in Lagos … Photo by Seun Sanni/Reuters Daniel Ajala funds the academy out of his own pocket. Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)In June, 11-year-old ballet dancer Anthony Mmesoma Madu was … This is Leap of Dance Academy -- a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa's most populous nation. “Ballet is for people who have money, who are very high class, because ballet is expensive,” Ajala tells AFP. His parents in Lagos, Nigeria’s teeming lagoon city, wanted him to become a priest. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. Ajala suggested the idea as a way for Madu to review his technique. All rights reserved. A student of the Leap of Dance Academy, Olamide Olawale, A student of the Leap of Dance Academy, Olamide Olawale, performs a dance routine in Okelola street in Ajangbadi, Lagos… A video of him dancing barefoot in the rain on concrete outside the studio where he trains, the Leap of Dance Academy, went viral last month. and Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria July 27, 2020. Poise and prestige: viral clip propels Lagos … Leap of dance Academy LAGOS Nigeria. Left: Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ajala is the founder and creative director of the Leap of Dance Academy, which provides ballet classes for young dancers.His school has gained worldwide attention ever since June, when he posted a video of one of his students dancing in the rain at his home. “When we started ballet here, people were like ‘what are they doing? The school is the brainchild of self-taught ballet aficionado Daniel Ajala, who opened its doors in late 2017 after studying the dance moves online and in books. Madu is one of a dozen students between the ages of 5 and 12 at Daniel Owoseni’s Leap Academy of Dance in Badagry, an unassuming coastal town about six hours from the center of Lagos… Picture taken July 27, 2020. “Badagry is a coastal town approximately six hours from the center of the metropolis Lagos.” Ajala opened the academy for those who could not afford ballet classes like the organization’s founder. He says locals in the neighbourhood of Ajangbadi were sceptical at first about his plan to teach ballet. Nigeria: Leap of dance academy makes ballet accessible to poor This is Leap of Dance Academy — a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa’s most populous nation. Anthony Madu and other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, … A video of him dancing barefoot in the rain on concrete outside the studio where he trains, the Leap of Dance Academy, went viral last month. It provides free dance lessons to underprivileged children who have nowhere to practice. “I feel great, I feel wonderful, I’m very excited,” she told AFP. by Noor Brara Reuters/Seun Sanni. Terms of Use © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2021. Well, that wonderful performance is due to the Leap of Dance Academy. The video caught the eye of the elite American Ballet Theatre, which gave him a scholarship and arranged internet access for virtual training this summer. Leap of Dance Academy aims to bring classical dance to Lagos' underprivileged children. A ballet school in Lagos, Leap of Dance Academy, is currently making wave after a video of one of … To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our, Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com, Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number, compiled by Balaram Menon, Digital Content Editor, In photos: UAE rolls out free vaccination drive, Inside Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor’s new Mumbai home, Witness UAE’s legacy at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, In photos: 'Realistic' drive-thru dinosaur experience, Drive carefully in the fog — Abu Dhabi Police, 10 things no-one tells you about becoming a parent, Indian mum dies as husband’s parking goes awry, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed visits vaccination centres, Pakistan: COVID-19 vaccine due in March, says Umar. He's also the founder of Leap of Dance Academy, which he started in 2017. Is it not indecent? The school was founded by self-taught ballet lover Daniel Ajala, in 2017. This website stores cookies on your computer. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos By Seun Sanni LAGOS (Reuters) - Gracefully spinning among a group of dancers clad in pink, 11-year-old Anthony Mmesoma Madu stands out in black leggings, a white turtleneck and poise beyond his years. This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without. It’s not a Christian dance! The Ivy Cast is our most inclusive event of all, featuring medley-style compilations of nearly every scene and a highlight of the Leap of Dance Academy, from Lagos, Nigeria. The Leap of Dance Academy, founded by Daniel Ajala, is a ballet school in Lagos … Daniel Owoseni Ajala has had quite a summer. A student of the Leap of Dance Academy, Olamide Olawale, A student of the Leap of Dance Academy, Olamide Olawale, performs a dance routine in Okelola street in Ajangbadi, Lagos… A small group of Nigerian girls and boys wearing leotards and leggings limber up in a spare room at a run-down primary school with patches of damp on the walls. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria July 27, 2020. Behind those fanciful in class beauty and costumes are lots and lots of…” “When I see him dancing, it gives me joy.”. She has even begun thinking of becoming a dance teacher herself. A viral video has lifted the school’s fortunes and visibility. Picture taken July 27, 2020. Olamide Olawale makes a leap. Here's our grading system according to the American ballet school system: Our students were using the RAD system Primary ballet 2 Grade 1 Grade 3 These were the grades we had previously. — Reuters pic LAGOS, Aug 7 — Gracefully spinning among a group of dancers clad in pink, 11-year-old Anthony Mmesoma Madu stands out in black leggings, a white turtleneck and poise beyond his years. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. A ballet school in Lagos, Leap of Dance Academy, is currently making wave after a video of one of its fluent male ballerinas was seen flipping gracefully. features guest dancers, companies, and schools from all around the world. Anthony is one of 12 students at the Leap of Dance Academy. Ballet has provided an inspiration and window onto unknown cultures for 15-year-old student Olamide Olawole. Daniel Owoseni Ajala, left with his students at the Leap of Dance Academy, in Lagos, Nigeria, Aug. 1, 2020. This is Leap of Dance Academy -- a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in … “It’s not only about the dance itself,” its founder says, “it’s about the value of dance education.” Stephen Tayo/The New York Times. SEATTLE, Washington — Where ballet meets West Africa, Daniel Owoseni Ajala created the Leap of Dance Academy, a dance school in Badagry, Nigeria. The academy's (8) ____, Daniel Ajala Owoseni, told BBC News: "We are changing the narrative about the (9) ____ of male dancers." LAGOS (Reuters) – Gracefully spinning among a … We celebrate and commend your investments and selfless efforts to ensure and promote quality above quantity dance education not just to our Academy but also here in Nigeria. Behind those fanciful … All rights reserved. Leap of Dance Academy is in Ojo, Lagos State. They launch into pirouettes and arabesques but have to make do without music. Anthony Mmesoma Madu, an 11-year-old ballet dancer, poses during a rehearsal with other students at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. REUTERS/Seun Sanni 95.9k Likes, 3,354 Comments - Leap of Dance Academy (@leapofdanceacademy) on Instagram: “FACTS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM. “My dream is to make children around the world to be able to share the same dance experience,” she says. 11 year old Anthony Madu learned to dance ballet at the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ajala is the founder and creative director of the Leap of Dance Academy, which provides ballet classes for young dancers.His school has gained worldwide attention ever since June, when he posted a video of one of his students dancing in the rain at his home. “Badagry is a coastal town approximately six hours from the center of the metropolis Lagos.” Ajala opened the academy for those who could not afford ballet classes like the organization’s founder. 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