Talent is everywhere, but unfortunately, not everyone is afforded the opportunity to make the most of what they are good at. But thanks to the internet and social media, the most gifted individuals can make sure they are seen and get exactly what they deserve. Case in point, this 11-year-old ballet dancer who went viral after an incredible performance in the rain which won him a scholarship at the American Ballet Theater in New York City. Since it first emerged, the video of Anthony Mmesoma showing off his pirouettes and arabesques barefoot outside of his Lagos dance school has been praised by social media users and dance professionals alike. Watch the 11-year-old's incredible dancing below:  [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/DrTsion/status/1293221323167105025]] Viola Davis wrote: "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!!!" [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/violadavis/status/1275893313145434114]] The video was also watched by Cynthia Harvey, the artistic director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Dance. In an interview with the <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/07/31/nigerian-boy-gets-scholarship-after-viral-video-dancing-rain/5555976002/">Cincinnati Enquirer</a>, she said: "A friend who lives in the UK sent me the video. Within a day, I was trying to find him." "Here, we're complaining about not being able to open our buildings," said Harvey. "But in that video, I saw a boy who was a perfect example of the tenacity someone can have when they have love and a dream. It was immediately obvious how much determination he had." Harvey subsequently arranged for the talented 11-year-old to attend ABT’s three-week Young Dancer Summer Workshop on a full scholarship. She's even arranged internet access for the talented boy so that he can take part in the 2020 virtual intensive. But perhaps best of all, Anthony will begin training in New York on a full scholarship from Ballet Beyond Borders next year. Anthony told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-ballet/leap-of-faith-nigerian-boy-captivates-the-world-with-his-ballet-idUSKCN2530YW">Reuters</a> that ballet was his life and that he feels on top of the world when he is dancing. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDhgvYwgXo1/]] While Anthony's parents had hoped that their son would become a priest, they are pleased that he is following his dreams of becoming a ballet dancer instead. The founder of Anthony's dance school in Lagos is 29-year-old Daniel Ajala Owoseni, who teaches his 12 students free of charge after learning how to dance himself using YouTube videos, which he began watching at the age of 13. Owoseni informed Reuters that he saw a need to bring a form of art that shows discipline, dedication, and commitment - qualities that his students could transfer to other areas of their lives. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8lVO2g6O1/]] In another interview with <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/leap-of-dance-academy-nigeria-ballet-daniel-owoseni-anthony-mmesoma-madu">Vogue</a>, he said: "People say that you can never do ballet the way it is done abroad because ballet is not an African dance, but for me, it's about making the art form our own." You can support Leap of Dance Academy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leapofdanceacademy/">here</a>.

11-year-old Nigerian boy gets scholarship from New York dance school after inspiring rain dance

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