When a video of kids dancing in the rain goes viral, it brings global attention to an unlikely ballet school outside Lagos, Nigeria. Now they’re preparing for the world stage
Daniel Ajala started dancing while in University where his passion for dance grew as he started to research and self train. After graduating university Ajala stayed in his home town to pursue teaching the local kids in his area regardless of cultural expectations to pursue a traditional career. “Dance is the thing that gives me the greatest joy, and it is my greatest pursuit in life, ballet is the core of my whole entire being”
Daniel opened the Leap Of Dance Academy, with the goal of training students in the art of ballet at a professional level. Students at the Academy train with integrity and dedication to the arts, and they have an incredible drive to work to be the best version of themselves. Our students have an incredible passion for dancing and they do not let any circumstances set them back from their education.
We are also involved in many online scholarships and guest teacher training via virtual media platforms which is actually a blessing and resource that is beneficial to us because of the outcome of covid. Our academy is set as a non-profit academy. Our students have had the opportunity to train in the United Kingdom and some parts of Europe.
We are so excited to build this website and a place for people to support the work we do. 2024,through the kindness of an individual we have covered our rehearsal space with a roof to prevent the sun as we used to practice in the open air since We are also seeking out international training opportunities for both our students and our staff. Our difficulties are mostly the above, resources for training here in Nigeria (a proper studio & equipment) and also opportunities to get professional training or certifications for our teachers.
A viral video has lifted the school’s fortunes and visibility. “It’s not only about the dance itself,” its founder says, “it’s about the value of dance education.”...
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Since it was uploaded to Instagram in June, the video of Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Mmesoma Madu dancing in the rain has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times over...
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A long time ago, a certain young man by the name of Daniel Owoseni Ajala realized he wanted to be a dancer, and more than that, he wanted to be a ballet dancer...
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The Leap of Dance academy has brought ballet to children in a poor district in Africa’s largest megacity.
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