Every year, the sequins pile up. Tutus, tap costumes, lyrical gowns, worn once under stage lights and then folded away, forgotten in the back of a closet. For most dancers, that’s just how it goes. For Alma Kore (’27), it became a question she couldn’t ignore: what if these could mean something to someone else?
Kore, a junior at Tenafly High School, founded Step2Shine with some of her dance friends one year ago with a simple but powerful idea: take costumes that dancers no longer use and get them into the hands of kids who’ve never had the chance to wear one.
“Dancing has always been a huge part of my life. I dance every day,” she said. “I wanted to find a way to give back to the community and let other people feel the joy we get from performing on stage.”
The realization came from looking around her own studio.
“At our studio, we constantly get new costumes every year, and there are so many we don’t use.” Rather than let them sit, Kore and her dance friends started collecting. What began as a local effort has since grown into something far bigger than she anticipated.
In just one year, Step2Shine has collected over 300 costumes and completed its first major international donation to Africa, with another shipment on its way to the Dominican Republic. The work hasn’t been without obstacles.
“We didn’t expect it to be so hard to find places to donate,” Kore said. “Some U.S. organizations have restrictions on donations, so we decided to branch out internationally. It’s challenging, but it makes an even bigger impact.”
The moment that made it all worth it came in the form of a video.
“The most rewarding moment was seeing the videos from the kids in Africa wearing the costumes and dancing. It was amazing to see them experience the same joy we feel when perf
orming.” It’s the kind of feedback that doesn’t need any context: the joy is visible, immediate, and real.
Running the organization has also shifted how Kore sees her own relationship to dance.
“It makes you realize how lucky we are to have access to beautiful, expensive costumes without thinking about it,” she said. That awareness, she added, is part of what Step2Shine is really about, not just donation logistics, but a shift in perspective for the dancers. “It reminds everyone to take opportunities to help others and spread positivity in the dance community.”
Looking ahead, Kore’s goals are straightforward: keep collecting, keep finding homes for the costumes, and reach as many kids as possible. Anyone who wants to help can donate through the collection bin at their studio, through the Step2Shine website, or by reaching out directly on social media.
“People from all over the community often reach out or drop off costumes at our houses,” she said.
When asked about the most memorable single costume she’s collected, Kore didn’t hesitate, and her answer said everything.
“Honestly, it’s hard to pick just one. It’s the collection as a whole that really makes an impact.”
That is Step2Shine. It was never about one costume, one donation, or one shining moment. It is about the cumulative power of a community of dancers who decided their joy was too good to keep to themselves. If you have dance costumes collecting dust at home, put them back in the spotlight. Email Step2Shine at [email protected].
