ICE STUDIOS SCHOOL OF DANCE
Dance Honor
Honors Awards 2026
May 24 | Gem Theater | Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District
Where Discipline Meets Destiny
The 18th & Vine Arts Festival Foundation is proud to honor ICE Studios School of Dance as the 2026 Dance Honoree — recognizing more than sixteen years of artistic excellence, youth empowerment, and cultural leadership in Kansas City.
Founded and led by Isha "Ice" Williams, ICE Studios is more than a dance school.
It is a pipeline.
A sanctuary.
A leadership incubator.
A cultural anchor.
Building More Than Dancers
Under Ice’s leadership, ICE Studios has become the only long-standing Black-owned, woman-owned nonprofit dance studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
The studio offers comprehensive training in:
• Hip hop
• Ballet
• Jazz
• Contemporary
• Tumbling / Acrobatics
• Youth creative movement
But technique is only the beginning.
ICE Studios develops discipline, confidence, leadership, and accountability. Young dancers are trained not just to perform — but to lead.
A Cultural Anchor in Kansas City
ICE Studios serves hundreds of families each year and partners with schools, community centers, and youth organizations to expand access to high-quality arts education.
Through its award-winning competition team and youth leadership pathway, students are trained in choreography, teaching, mentorship, and arts administration — preparing them for futures both on and off the stage.
The studio has received regional and national recognition, including being featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show — making history as the first Black-owned dance studio highlighted on the program.
Ice Williams has also received the Woman of Courage Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., affirming her impact beyond performance.
Why This Dance Honor Matters
Dance is physical discipline.
It is storytelling in motion.
It is culture expressed through movement.
ICE Studios represents the next generation of Kansas City artists — shaped by structure, mentorship, and representation.
Honoring ICE Studios at the Gem Theater in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District reflects the Foundation’s commitment to recognizing not only performers — but the institutions that build performers.
Legacy is not accidental.
It is taught.
What to Expect on May 24
At Honors Awards 2026, ICE Studios will be celebrated through:
• A cinematic tribute highlighting their community impact
• A live dance tribute performance
• An official City Proclamation
• A formal Dance Honor presentation
This evening honors those who invest in the future of culture.
🌹 Join Us May 24
📍 Gem Theater
Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District
🗓 May 24, 2026
🎟 Red Carpet: 6:00–7:00 PM
🎭 Program: 7:00–9:00 PM
🎟 Be in the Room
Celebrate youth leadership.
Honor artistic discipline.
Support living institutions.
Give flowers — while they can still be received.