The Price of Passion: Making Dance Accessible

Before I fully understood what “expression” even meant, I found it through movement. Dance gave me confidence. It gave me space to grow, fail, feel, and connect. But the truth is, if I hadn’t had access to the right shoes, the right attire, or the ability to just show up to class, I wouldn’t have been able to build that relationship with dance at all.

The cost of being a dancer isn’t just about money - it’s about opportunity. Most recreational dance classes in Singapore, especially in established studios, cost around $50 to $100 per hour session. For families already juggling everyday expenses, dancing becomes a luxury, and class fees are only the beginning.

Each dance style comes with its own attire. This isn’t just for practicality, but also as part of its culture, tradition, and technique. For instance, in ballet, leotards, tights, and ballet skirts are more than just a uniform; they reflect the discipline and elegance of the form, connecting one to the art itself. Dancers often begin with soft ballet flats and may later progress to pointe shoes, which are delicate and wear down quickly, sometimes costing over a hundred dollars per pair. Jazz dancers typically wear fitted leotards and jazz shoes, while tap dancers train in shoes complete with metal plates that create percussive rhythm. Laducas, character shoes, half-soles, and other specialised footwear are also other options depending on one’s style and level. These choices aren’t to contribute to an aesthetic; they support technique, safety, and sometimes even storytelling. Studios often maintain dress codes to uphold both tradition and function, but meeting those expectations can be financially demanding.

Of course, dance doesn’t only happen in studios. Some of the most meaningful and spontaneous dancing happens at home, or anywhere your movement feels free. Formal training isn’t the only path, and no one needs the “right” gear to start dancing. But as dancers begin to explore specific styles, proper shoes become increasingly important. Each shoe is designed to support the movements of its form, whether that’s the balance required in pointe work or the rhythmic footwork in tap. Most importantly, access to these basics shouldn’t be what holds someone back from continuing or starting something they love.

It’s not that the dance world is gatekeeping on purpose. The issue is that dance is expensive, and there’s hardly any way to get around it. This structure unfortunately ends up excluding people who may have all the passion in the world to dance, but not the resources.

And that’s heartbreaking. For so many people, dance is not just an extracurricular activity. It’s a lifeline. It’s a place where they find community, identity, and peace. Dance teaches discipline, resilience, artistry, and emotional intelligence. And yet, so many people who could fall in love with it may never get the chance, simply because the price tag is too high.

I often think about how different things could have been for me. If I didn’t have the access, I may not have continued to dance at all. I wouldn’t have had the chance to grow through it, learn from it, or share it with others. It matters so much to me that people everywhere get to see that passion through, even if their circumstances are difficult.

ReSole was created to bridge this gap in a small but tangible way. We collect gently used dance shoes from various dance styles and donate them to underprivileged communities and to others that need them. It’s a simple and effective idea: taking something that would’ve been discarded, and giving it a second life with someone who truly needs it. No cost. No complications. Pure access.

If one pair of shoes can help someone to continue pursuing dance, or give them the confidence to even try dancing for the first time, then it’s already worth it. Every single person deserves the chance to fall in love with something that could change their life. For me, that was dance. And through ReSole, I hope it can be that for someone else too.

By Koel Malhotra