The dance program at Broadneck High School began in the late 1990's as an outgrowth of the Physical Education elective program.  The program initially began with a few beginning level classes and an advanced Dance Company class.

Today, it has grown to include two Honors Level Dance Companies, a popular Dance for Athletes program, and most recently a Unified Dance and Leadership class, which brings students of all abilities together in a positive and creative environment.

Mrs. Melissa Bell has been teaching dance at Broadneck High School since 2002 and is one of the longest serving dance educators in Anne Arundel County Public Schools.  She began dancing at age 7 and received her early formal training from the New Jersey School of Ballet.  She went on to earn a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Education from Towson University, graduating summa cum laude.  She also holds a Master's of Science in Education and an Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate.  Mrs. Bell spent 7 seasons with the Baltimore-based modern dance company The Collective, where she performed and toured up and down the East Coast.  She and her husband, Chad have two children, Kylee and CJ, and two dogs, Lexie and Nala.  In her spare time, she enjoys taking walks with her family and watching movies.