It was founded in 1984 as one of the first "drop-in" dance training schools in the world, offering classes in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and theater.

[2][3][4] In New York City in the early 1980s, aspiring dancers primarily came to NYC to vie for the chance to dance on a Broadway stage.

Choreographers like Michael Bennett, Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins were creating brilliance on stage, while teachers like Luigi, Charles Kelley, Jamie Rogers, Henry LeTang, Phil Black, David Howard and Frank Hatchett were preparing dancers to become the versatile technical performers needed by these great choreographers.

In 1984, Ellner assumed ownership of Hines-Hatchett, renamed it Broadway Dance Center, and set off to create a studio that would provide a new home for teachers and dancers.

In the early years, renowned teachers joined BDC's faculty and solidified the studio's standing in the dance community.

Over the next fifteen years, the studio grew from a one-story building to three stories of creative and business space, and flourished under Ellner's leadership.

After a short interim period and with support from the dance community, faculty and staff, BDC was able to rebuild its current state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Times Square.

This consists of technique classes in multiple disciplines, mock auditions, seminars, and several networking possibilities for young dancers to establish themselves in the industry.

The Junior Training Program consists of three-week or six-week periods in which experienced dancers, age 13–17, can choose 15 classes per week from a variety of different genres and teachers and focus on a specific style of dance.