Today we’d like to introduce you to ICE Williams.
Hi ICE , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
ICE Studios School of Dance began with a simple but powerful mission: to provide youth in Kansas City with a creative, supportive space to grow through the art of dance. Founded by Isha “ICE” Williams, a lifelong dancer and artist, the studio was born from a deep belief that the arts can transform lives especially in underserved communities where access to high-quality arts education is limited.
Isha started teaching dance in neighborhood centers and community spaces, often volunteering her time and using personal funds to rent space and buy dance gear for students. What began as a few passionate classes quickly evolved into a full-fledged program as more families joined and saw the positive impact on their children confidence, discipline, fitness, teamwork, and expression.
In 2008, ICE Studios became an official nonprofit organization. With the support of parents, local grants, and a growing team of teachers and volunteers, we’ve expanded to offer ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, tumbling, and more to students ages 3 to 18. Our annual recitals, competition teams, and community showcases are now celebrated events that spotlight our dancers’ growth and talent.
Today, ICE Studios is more than just a dance school it’s a movement. We serve over 200 students annually, have won numerous competition awards, partner with local funders to provide scholarships and healthy snacks, and were even featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2025 for our impact in the community.
What keeps us going is simple: seeing kids who once felt shy, uncertain, or overlooked find their rhythm, their voice, and their confidence both on and off the stage. ICE Studios is where young people learn that they are powerful, creative, and worthy of being seen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Over the past 16 years, ICE Studios has faced its share of obstacles. We’ve been denied funding, charged sky-high prices for theater rentals, operated without consistent outside support, and dealt with limited space that restricted our ability to expand. There were seasons when we had to get creative just to keep the doors open teaching in borrowed spaces, hosting fundraisers to afford costumes, and stretching every dollar to ensure no child was turned away.
There were also times when the funds simply ran out and I had to personally invest my own money to keep ICE Studios alive. To sustain the mission, I’ve worked multiple jobs, often taking on full-time work during the day while volunteering my nights and weekends to teach, manage the studio, and organize programs. Because I choose to forgo a full-time salary at my own nonprofit in order to keep costs low for families, it’s created challenges with outside employers who feel I can’t give them my full focus. That tension can be discouraging, but the vision I carry for our youth keeps me going.
Despite the struggle, we’ve made it through. Each challenge has only deepened our commitment. We’ve built something powerful not just a dance studio, but a community where kids are seen, nurtured, and empowered. And we’re just getting started.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
ICE Studios School of Dance is a nonprofit dance program in the heart of Kansas City that provides high-quality, affordable dance education to youth ages 3–18. We specialize in styles including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, tumbling, and contemporary, with both recreational and competitive tracks. Our classes focus on more than technique we emphasize character, confidence, discipline, teamwork, and creativity.
We’re known for our strong community presence, our bold choreography, and the way we meet each child exactly where they are. Many of our students start with no prior experience and grow into confident dancers, performers, and leaders both on and off the stage. We offer annual recitals, community showcases, and award-winning competition team opportunities all while keeping our programs accessible through scholarships, fundraising, and low-cost classes.
What sets us apart is our heart. ICE is a place where every student is seen, valued, and encouraged. We are deeply rooted in community, equity, and culture. We create a space where students from all walks of life can express themselves freely and thrive.
I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made over the years—watching shy kids transform into bold performers, students earning college scholarships through dance, and seeing ICE alumni come back to teach or mentor the next generation. We were even featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2024, which honored the work we’ve done in uplifting youth through the arts.
At the core of everything we do is love for our students, our craft, and our community.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Kansas City is the heart of the people.
There’s a strong sense of community here especially among creatives, educators, and grassroots organizers. I’ve seen firsthand how Kansas Citians show up for each other, whether it’s supporting youth programs, attending local events, or rallying behind small businesses and nonprofits. There’s a rich culture, deep history, and growing pride in Black and Brown communities that inspires me every day. And from the food to the art to the music KC has soul.
What I like least is the lack of consistent support and investment in underserved communities.
Too often, the people doing the most important work especially for youth are overlooked, underfunded, or forced to fight for basic resources. There’s still a big gap between the potential of our city and the systems that are in place. Equity isn’t just about access it’s about sustainability. I’d love to see more intentional investment in the people and programs that are truly changing lives.
Pricing:
- Donation of $25 Snacks for 15 students for one month
- Donation of $50 Covers the cost of one month of dance class for one student
- Donation of $100 Dance shoes and Dancewear or costume for one student
- Donation of $500 Supports one free health and nutrition or fitness class
- Donation of $1,000 Helps fund a portion of the new building
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.icestudiosdance.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icestudiosdance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/icestudiosdance
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icestudiosschoolofdance/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ICESTUDIOSSCHOOLOFDANCE/videos
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Icestudiosdance
