In a country not usually associated with classical ballet, a 16-year-old dancer leaps onto the stage, his gravity-defying turns taking the audience's breath away.

Joel Kioko is arguably Kenya's most promising young ballet dancer. Currently training in the United States, he has come home for Christmas - and is dancing a solo in a Nairobi production of The Nutcracker while he's here.

"He's the real deal," said Dance Center Kenya's artistic director, Cooper Rust. "I'm pushing him to go for the stars. Paris Opera, Royal Ballet, here we come. Even if Joel ends up in a more regional company, it will be incredible."