Q&A Video With Ballerina Olamide | Inspiring Artists

Olamide Olawale is a talented young ballet dancer at Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. A multi-skilled artist of only 20 years old, Olamide is also a community teacher and an ambitious fashion designer. She enjoys sewing and dreams of creating her own costume design company in Nigeria. She strives for gender equality and promotes self-confidence among young women in her community, leading by example, "I am special and unique in my own way. There's no one in the world like me." You can watch the video above, or scroll down below to read about this talented ballerina and community leader!

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About Olamide

Q: Please introduce yourself!

A: My name is Olamide Olawale, I started dancing in the year 2017 and I was 16 then.

Q: Tell me about dancing with Leap of Dance Academy.

A: Dancing at Leap of Dance Academy is the best thing I've ever done because at Leap of Dance Academy, we like to grow together and be happy and be one family together. We love each other at Leap of Dance Academy.

Q: You now teach classes at the academy, what advice do you share with your students?

A: My advice to the students is to push more- and no matter how difficult it is, you have to keep on trying. You know that, one day, you are going to achieve that which you are planning to do, or the goal you are trying to achieve, or the stretch, or the exercise, or the combination you are trying to work on. If you keep on practicing and keep on trying, you are surely going to get it.

Q: How did you feel the first time you put on pointe shoes?

A: How I felt when I first wore pointe shoes... oh my, I felt very excited! At first, it hurt so much, but after practicing, I became used to it. My first time on pointe shoes was the best thing ever, I felt on top of the world! I felt like I was walking on water- yeah, that was a feeling!

Q: You are an ambitious fashion designer too! Do you help design costumes for the academy performances?

A: Sometimes, I design costumes for Leap of Dance Academy and some of our props- I teach the other students to assist me to do that too. We did a 'Nutshell' show, I designed the costumes with the help of Mr. Daniel.

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Ballet Advice & Inspiration

Q: What opportunities has ballet brought you?

A: Ballet has brought me so many opportunities, ballet has brought me to kings, has made me see presidents, and visits to so many countries and states within our country Nigeria.

Q: What Lessons has ballet taught you?

A: Ballet has taught me so, so many things. It has taught me to be disciplined, courageous, contentment, creative - so many things, so many things that I can't mention.

Q: Is there a ballerina or ballet dancer that you look up to?

A: I love Michaela DePrince, yeah I love her so, so much- so, so much! And I love her courage, I love her attitude, I love everything about her. I love the way she dances, I love her color- she rocks! One thing I love about her is when her teacher told her she looks ugly in red lipstick, and she was like- well, I look ugly in red lipstick? Well, I'm going to wear that red lipstick! And that is what I love about her, her courage - everything about her, she rocks.

Q: How has ballet changed your life?

A: Ballet has changed my life totally! It changed the way I walk, it changed the way I think, it changed everything about me!

Q: What advice do you have for girls looking to be ballerinas?

A: My advice for girls looking to be ballerinas is to never ever give up on their dreams. If you want to be a ballerina- you go for it! Whether you are black, white, yellow, green, purple, or any color you are- if you truly want to be a ballerina, you never ever ever give up on that dream, you just keep on working. It might be difficult, but you just have to keep on working and keep on pushing, pushing, pushing until you become truly what you want to be.

Q: How can people contribute to Leap of Dance Academy?

A: People can contribute to Leap of Dance Academy in whichever way they feel like! Maybe by texting to encourage us, or sending material things, or funds for us to encourage the students and to make the students not give up on their dreams.

Q: What ballet goals do you have for the future?

A: My aspirations, or goals for the future, is to design costumes- ballet costumes, here in Lagos, Nigeria. And to also be a dance teacher- yes, that is my goal. Thank you!

A very special thank you to Olamide for participating in this interview to inspire others! You can follow her on Instagram at: Instagram.com/olawale.olamide

You can also contact Leap of Dance Academy via Instagram to contribute in a variety of ways to their mission to enrich lives through dance: Instagram.com/leapofdanceacademy