building a stage for every boy with

The Will to Dance

Only 13% of dancers are male. Over 85% of male dancers are bullied.

We are changing that.

The Will to Dance is youth-led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of male dancers through global community, dedicated support, and advocacy.

100+ youths reached

"The Will to Dance is creating a powerful space for boys to feel encouraged and celebrated in dance. Being part of this experience had a lasting impact on my son’s confidence and passion."

Joel, father of young male dancer
"Seeing other boys on stage just blew my mind, and I want to be like that one day...I'm proud to be a dancer."

Levi, 4th grade dancer
"This is no easy task. The message is so important for boys and young men. Thank you for your efforts to promote boys in dance in such a meaningful way."

Mr. Moreno, Dean of Students at Stuart Hall School for Boys

A Note from Our Founder

It all began in my junior year of high school (age 16) through the Design to Action Scholar Program.
By that point, I had seen firsthand how powerful dance can be. It builds confidence where there was doubt, creates belonging where there was isolation, and gives a voice to those who may not yet have the words. But I’ve also seen the barriers that prevent many from accessing these opportunities—and that’s what stayed with me.
After much research and collaboration, The Will to Dance was born from a simple but urgent belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to dance, to be seen, and to be valued.
Whether it’s encouraging boys to pursue dance, challenging the stigma surrounding it, or expanding inclusivity across the field, every initiative we take is deeply personal. They reflect real people, real stories, and the change that needs to happen.
The Will to Dance is still young, but the vision is ambitious. We’re building it together, alongside every dancer, every supporter, and everyone who believes in a more inclusive future for the arts.
Thank you for being here and for believing in this mission.
- William Stout
Founder, The Will to Dance

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our mission

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A young boy in a navy blue polo shirt and jeans dancing on a dirt area outdoors surrounded by trees and fallen logs.

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5+ active initiatives

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Three male dancers, two children, and an adult, sitting cross-legged on a stage in an empty San Francisco Ballet War Memorial Opera House theater with red velvet seats, giving each other high fives.

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Ballet dancer in mid-air leap inside a dance studio with large windows and wooden barre in New York City Lincoln Center.

A hiphop street dancer jumping in the air on a hilltop with a San Francisco cityscape in the background, a tree on the right, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.