Kenyan children shine through ballet

 In the cramped living room of a Kenyan slum, 13-year-old Bravian Mise gracefully leaps and pirouettes during an intense ballet rehearsal. 

For the past four years, Bravian has dedicated himself to ballet and is now part of a group of approximately 100 children who have been preparing for months to perform Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.

Bravian expresses his excitement for the ballet, admitting that he had never heard of it before participating in the production. “I love dancing,” he says with a joyful smile. “I dance because it’s beautiful.”

The young dancers undergo rigorous training under the guidance of Cooper Rust, a former professional ballerina and alumna of the School of American Ballet.

Rust, now the director of Dance Centre Kenya, a non-profit organization providing ballet lessons to underprivileged youth in Nairobi, emphasizes the importance of showcasing that ballet is not limited to a particular background. She believes skill, talent, drive, and passion are what matters.

While Kenya’s dance scene continues to grow, the country does not yet have a professional ballet company. Nevertheless, Rust remains optimistic about the future and acknowledges that progress takes time and funding is a persistent challenge.

At the Nairobi National Theatre, the young troupe takes the stage, showcasing flawless arabesques accompanied by live music from a Kenyan orchestra. Throughout the performance, they captivate the audience with an array of vibrant costumes and accessories. By the time they execute the renowned Russian dance, the crowd is enamored.

Bravian, who lives with his family in a shanty town west of Nairobi, reflects on his journey to the stage. Supported by grants for dance accessories and transportation to rehearsals, which would otherwise be unaffordable, he faces the hardships head-on, knowing he has to work harder due to his background. Bravian’s mother, Rehema Mwikali, watches her son dance with pride, expressing her confidence in his ability to succeed as a professional dancer.

While the path to becoming a professional dancer is challenging, Joel Kioko, a former student of Dance Centre Kenya, currently residing in the United States, has achieved this dream.

Rust remains determined to guide more students into professional careers. Recognizing that training a dancer typically takes around ten years, she believes that other students will follow in Joel’s footsteps.

Many of the students at Dance Centre Kenya aspire to become renowned ballet stars. Lavender Orisa, who grew up in the Nairobi slum of Kibera, received a scholarship to study at the English National Ballet School in London. She describes her journey from Kibera to dancing in London as unimaginable.

Lavender recognizes the impact she has on others, stating, “People tell me I am an inspiration to them.” With Rust’s unwavering support, she has the potential for an international career.