Melissa ISD proudly welcomes Joanna Ingram as the new Dance Director. Ingram brings a wealth of experience and passion for dance to her new role, following her tenure as the Assistant Dance Director at Boswell High School in Fort Worth.
During her five years at Boswell High School, Ingram played a key role in coaching the award-winning Pure Gold Dance Team and directing the Gold Dust JV Dance Team. Her dedication to dance education was evident as she also taught dance classes for middle and high school students, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the Boswell dance program.
Before her time at Boswell, Ingram had a distinguished career as a dancer. A graduate of Allen High School, she was a prominent member of the Allen Tallenettes, where she performed at prestigious events such as the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Dallas Cowboys halftime show. She continued her dance journey at Texas State University, where she was part of the renowned Texas State Strutters, performing at events such as the San Antonio Spurs games and the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 2019, she graduated with a BFA in Dance Education.
The Director of Fine Arts, Jerry Whorton, expressed excitement about Ingram's appointment. “Joanna's ascent among over 75 applicants attests to her exceptional talent. With a deep grasp of the Cardinal Way and the essence of being a Melissa Cardinal, she embodies the spirit of TEAM MELISSA from day one. She was unanimously selected by a committee of parents, community members, and MHS faculty members.”
Ingram’s vision for the Melissa Dance Program is to empower all student dancers to reach their full potential and gain an appreciation for the art of dance. The program will provide quality training across all dance genres, offering performance opportunities for students to showcase their creativity and hard work. Ingram hopes that “Dance will become a medium through which they learn to overcome challenges, work with others, and develop artistry and confidence.”
In the 2024-25 school year, MHS students can take Dance Levels I-IV. The Melissa Dance Program will offer classes only for the first year before transitioning into the competition level in the following years.
Additionally, Melissa ISD has already broken ground on the fine arts gym supporting the Dance, Cheer, and Color Guard programs. The 19,000-square-foot facility is located on the southeast side of the MHS Competition Gyms and is scheduled to open in the 2024-2025 school year.
Melissa Schools looks forward to Ingram's positive impact on the dance program and the exciting opportunities our Cardinal will have through this program. If you have any questions regarding the Melissa ISD Dance Program at this time, please contact Joanna Ingram at joannaingram@melissaisd.org.