As breaking makes its Olympic debut, an Anchorage dancer is focused on growing the sport in Alaska

Jeremy “Icey Ives” Viray at FlowZone Dance Studio in Anchorage on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Matt Faubion/Alaska Public Media) Jeremy Viray, better known as B-Boy Icey Ives in the dance world, warmed up for a breaking set in his dance studio in Midtown Anchorage. He showed off some classic breaking moves — including one where his legs swoop under him in just a few steps while crouched and supported by his hands. Ives started breaking in 2007 at a local recreation center. “There were these kids that were just like, ‘Hey, you should just try this out. You guys look cool. We’re breakdancing. I think you’d be really good at it.’ And ever since that day, we never stopped. We were just inspired,” he said.  Breaking is making its Olympic debut in Paris this summer. Ives missed qualifying for Paris, but is still committed to the sport. He said Alaska’s dance scene is flourishing, but it needs more leaders to grow. Ives began competing nationally when he was a freshman in high school and has since competed in events in over 20 countries. In 2019, he was the first Alaskan to win Red Bull BC One, which is billed as...