With the help of Esther Oladipupo, ballet teacher and founder of Kingdom Ballet Company, a school based in Benin City, Nigeria, Ballet Rising learned about the inspirations and motivations of six young ballet students in Nigeria. Oladipupo and the students’ parents took pictures of the girls practicing ballet, holding poses, and demonstrating their skills at home, in their studio, and on stage. Continue reading IMAGINING THE FUTURE OF BALLET, FROM NIGERIA

Esther Oladipupo, founder of the Association of Ballet Teachers of Nigeria, describes her pioneering efforts to bring ballet to aspiring students in her home country. Continue reading BALLET IN NIGERIA

After the Association of Ballet Teachers of Nigeria sponsored a teachers’ training on the Cuban ballet methodology, Ballet Rising followed up with two of the attendees. If you can believe it, these two inspirational women are self-trained dancers! Read to learn how they’ve worked to transform the future of their communities. Continue reading INSPIRED BY JULIA STILES

As director of the Tunisian National Ballet, Nawel Skandrani provided opportunities for ballet choreographers and dancers from across North Africa and the Arab world. Continue reading MEET THE WOMAN WHO BROUGHT BALLET TO TUNISIA

In Namibia, dance’s nonverbal qualities make it an invaluable conduit of public information. Learn more in this interview with Ombetja Yehinga Organisation founder Philippe Talavera. Continue reading A PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATION BECOMES THE ONLY PERMANENT DANCE COMPANY IN NAMIBIA