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11-year-old's ballet video goes viral

Ballet Dancer - Level 4

An 11-year-old boy is famous after a video of him dancing in the rain in Nigeria went viral. Anthony Madu's skill and passion impressed people. An Oscar-winning actor saw the video and uploaded it. She tweeted: "We create, soar, can imagine, have unleashed passion, and love, despite the brutal obstacles that have been put in front of us." Another person said adults had to find the talent in children and support them and let them feel joy.

Anthony is at a dance academy in Lagos. The academy gives free lessons to underprivileged children. The academy's founder said: "We are changing the narrative about the stereotype of male dancers." Anthony said: "Where I live there are no male ballet dancers like me. When people see ballet they think it is only for girls, they don't know that it is not only for girls." He wants people to know that there are also male ballet dancers.

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Ballet Dancer - Level 5

An 11-year-old boy is famous after a video of him dancing in the rain outside his home in Nigeria went viral. Anthony Madu impressed people with his skill, passion and dedication. An Oscar-winning actor saw a video of Anthony and put it on her social media. She tweeted: "We create, soar, can imagine, have unleashed passion, and love, despite the brutal obstacles that have been put in front of us." Another social media user said: "As adults, it is our job to help each child find their talent and to support them...The joy from this propels them in all things they do."

Anthony is a student at a dance academy in a poor district of Lagos. The academy gives free lessons to underprivileged children who have nowhere to practice. The academy's founder told BBC News: "We are changing the narrative about the stereotype of male dancers." Anthony said: "Where I live there are no male ballet dancers like me. When people see ballet they think it is only for girls, they don't know that it is not only for girls." He said he wanted people to know that there are also male ballet dancers. He added that this makes him feel like he is dreaming.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Ballet Dancer - Level 6

An 11-year-old boy has achieved fame after a video of him dancing in the rain outside his home in Lagos, Nigeria went viral on social media. Anthony Mmesoma Madu impressed people worldwide with his skill, enthusiasm, passion and dedication. The Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis saw a video clip of Anthony and put it on her social media feeds. She tweeted: "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." Another social media user said: "As adults, it is our job to help each child find their talent and to support them...The joy from this propels them in all things they do."

Anthony is one of 12 students at the Leap of Dance Academy. The academy is in a poor district of Lagos. It provides free dance lessons to underprivileged children who have nowhere to practice. The academy's founder, Daniel Ajala Owoseni, told BBC News: "We are changing the narrative about the stereotype of male dancers." Anthony said: "Where I live there are no male ballet dancers like me. When people see ballet they think it is only for girls, they don't know that it is not only for girls." He added: "How I want them to see me is that when I am dancing they know that there is a male ballet dancer. The feeling that comes over me is as if I am dreaming."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson