What M.A.D.D. Rhythms does

M.A.D.D. Rhythms is a Chicago-based non-profit performing arts organization (legal entity: Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization, EIN# 30-0241646) founded around 2000-2001 by Bril Barrett and Martin "Tre" Dumas Jr. to address the lack of arts programming on Chicago's South and West Sides. Operating as an arts-partner-in-residence at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in the Bronzeville neighborhood, the company functions as a tap dance collective combining education, professional performance, and community programming. Its core offerings include the Tap Academy (in-person and virtual classes spanning Tap for Tots through adults), monthly community Tap Jams, the annual Chicago Tap Summit Tap Dance Festival, signature productions such as Hoofin' It and Feeling Good: A Tribute to Nina Simone, and the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network. A youth development pipeline called Studio to Stage funnels participants from after-school and apprenticeship programs into the professional company, which has performed at Jacob's Pillow, NYC Center's Fall for Dance, and internationally.

The organization operates with a community-led, direct-to-consumer go-to-market. Revenue is generated through five primary streams: Tap Academy class fees (recurring), performance ticket sales (one-time, e.g., $50 per in-person ticket for Hoofin' It), donations and merchandise via PayPal and GoFundMe, grants from a diversified base of city, state, federal, and private foundation funders, and Chicago Tap Summit registration fees ($150 single day, $250 weekend). Pricing is positioned to remain accessible with an explicit policy of not turning anyone away due to financial constraints. The 25-year-old brand is anchored by co-founder and Artistic Director Bril Barrett (a named Chicagoan of the Year and TED Talk speaker) and 15 listed company members with credentials including Riverdance and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The business carries characteristics typical of a small arts non-profit: 1-10 employees, a board of directors including leadership from the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre, and reliance on multi-source grant funding supplemented by earned income. International footprint exists via touring and collaborations (M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada, performances across Europe and Latin America), but the operational base and primary audience remain concentrated in the Chicago metro area, particularly the South and West Sides.

Name

M.A.D.D. Rhythms

Legal name

Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization

Website

https://maddrhythms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

M.A.D.D. Rhythms is a Chicago-based non-profit tap dance collective offering classes, performances, community jams, an annual festival, and a podcast network, serving youth from underserved communities and tap dance enthusiasts of all ages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre Dance (MPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Tap dance education
• Performing arts company
• Dance academy programs
• Community dance events
• Arts education nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tap Academy Class Fees: Revenue from teaching tap dance classes to youth and adults at the studio. The Tap Academy offers programs from Tap for Tots (ages 2-4) through the main academy (ages 5-105), with a policy of not turning anyone away regardless of financial situation.
2. Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticketed performances including world premieres like Hoofin' It ($50 in-person tickets) and special events. Also includes virtual stream donations for performances like M.A.D.D. Greatest Hits.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Major revenue stream including direct donations via PayPal, GoFundMe campaigns, year-end contributions, floor sponsorship ($15,000), and MADD-eo personalized messages from dancers. Merchandise sales including pins, t-shirts, and letters from the director.
4. Grants and Funder Support: Funding from institutional donors including CityArts General Operating and Project Funding from City of Chicago DCASE, Illinois Arts Council Agency General Operating Grant, IABD Black Art Fund for Dance (BAFD), National Endowment for the Arts, Field Foundation, Oppenheimer Family Foundation, Chicago's Cultural Treasures, and numerous other foundations and corporate sponsors.
5. Chicago Tap Summit Registration: Event revenue from the annual tap dance festival including workshop fees ($150 for full day, $250 for weekend), vendor participation, and sponsorship packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

M.A.D.D. Rhythms is a Chicago-based tap dance performing arts company and nonprofit organization that delivers tap dance education (Tap Academy classes for ages 2 to 105), produces live performances and world premieres, hosts community Tap Jams, runs an annual tap dance festival (Chicago Tap Summit), and distributes a podcast network. The organization also operates youth apprenticeship and outreach programs that funnel dancers from novice through professional company placement.

Product overview

M.A.D.D. Rhythms is a tap dance collective and performing arts organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of tap dance education, performance, and community programming. The core offerings include the Tap Academy (classes for all ages and skill levels), Tap Jams (community gatherings for improvisation practice), the annual Chicago Tap Summit Tap Dance Festival, the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network (featuring 'The Either/And Podcast' and 'Gasps From A Dying Art Form'), and a repertoire of signature performances including 'Hoofin' It', 'Feeling Good: A Tribute to Nina Simone', 'M.A.D.D. Rhythms Greatest Hits', 'Beyond a Shuffle' documentary, and 'Wonder'. The organization also provides youth programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and community outreach through its nonprofit arm, the Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy Tap dance education program offering in-person and virtual classes for all ages (Tap for Tots ages 2-4 through adult learners ages 5-105), teaching tap as a musical form of expression with focus on rhythm, improvisation, and historical awareness.
• Tap Jams Monthly community tap dance gatherings that pay homage to hoofers traditions, allowing dancers to communicate, express themselves, and grow through improvisation.
• Chicago Tap Summit Tap Dance Festival Annual tap dance festival featuring master classes, tap history bus tours, food and merch vendors, interactive activities, and world premieres, celebrating Chicago's tap community.
• M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network Podcast network featuring 'The Either/And Podcast w/Bril Barrett' discussing tap dance culture and 'Gasps From A Dying Art Form' exploring tap dance histories and philosophies.
• Hoofin' It: The Untold Story of The Founders of Tap A world premiere production presented by Chicago Dancemakers Forum Project telling the untold stories of tap dance founders.
• Feeling Good: A M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tribute to Nina Simone A tribute production honoring Nina Simone's music and aesthetic, featuring legendary singers Dee Alexander, Maggie Brown, Joan Collaso, and Tecora Rodgers.
• M.A.D.D. Rhythms Greatest Hits A virtual performance showcasing classic repertoire pieces from the company's history, featuring reflections from original members and directed by resident artists.
• Beyond a Shuffle A documentary about Bril Barrett and the founding of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, documenting the company's impact on dancers and youth over 18 years.
• Wonder A feature performance by tap artist Caleb Jackson, blending precision with soul and showcasing tap as music through jazz, funk, hip hop, and salsa influences.
• A M.A.D.D. Mix Tape A compilation performance featuring various tap dance pieces and styles.
• Individual Tap Artist (ITA) Grant An annual unrestricted $5,000 grant for Chicago-based tap dancers created in partnership with the Martha Struthers Farley and Donald C. Farley, Jr. Family Foundation to provide financial relief.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 youth provided with after school and summer jobs from underserved communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harold Washington Cultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerM.A.D.D. Rhythms is an arts-partner-in-residence at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, using the venue as their headquarters and primary performance space. The center is located at 4701 S. King Drive in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.
• Chicago Tap TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaboration on Chicago Tap Allstars National Tap Dance Weekend celebration in partnership with Chicago Tap Theatre, celebrating Chicago's tap community and National Tap Dance Day.
• M.A.D.D. Rhythms CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on productions including 'Release Yourself' and 'Great Feats of Rhythm' as well as Downbeats Canada's 'Embrace the Rhythm.'
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing after school tap dance programs for Chicago youth, run by Bril Barrett for more than 10 years.
• Sammy Dyer School of the TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago theatre school with close ties to M.A.D.D. Rhythms; Muriel Foster serves on M.A.D.D. Rhythms Board of Directors as Director of Sammy Dyer School.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tap Dogs: Australian-created industrial-styled tap dance production touring internationally; comparable as a high-production-value tap-based theatrical performance company.
• M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada: Existing international affiliate of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, co-producing works like 'Release Yourself,' 'Great Feats of Rhythm,' and Downbeats Canada's 'Embrace the Rhythm'; comparable as a tap dance performing company operating under a shared brand.
• Dorrance Dance: Michelle Dorrance's critically-acclaimed tap dance company blending traditional and contemporary tap; directly comparable as a professional tap dance performing company with educational outreach.
• Chicago Tap Theatre: Chicago-based tap dance company and a documented annual partner on the Chicago Tap Allstars National Tap Dance Weekend; directly comparable in geography, art form, and community-facing programming.
• Chicago Human Rhythm Project: Chicago-based tap dance presenter and producer that runs festivals and education programs; comparable as a tap-focused presenting/education organization operating in the same city and ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Iconic American modern dance company with strong educational/outreach programming for underserved communities; comparable as a mission-driven dance organization combining performance, education, and community impact, though at far greater scale.
• American Tap Dance Foundation: National tap dance organization operating the American Tap Dance Festival and educational programs; comparable in mission (preserving and presenting tap) but at a broader national scale.
• STOMP: Percussive dance/theatrical production using everyday objects as instruments; comparable as a high-scale production built around rhythm and percussive movement, though broader in style.

Emerging players

• Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Los Angeles-based dance academy providing free dance education to underserved youth; comparable mission overlap in delivering accessible dance education to underserved communities.
• Northwest Tap Connection: Tap-focused community organization referenced as a peer festival partner (August 16-19 intensive); comparable as a tap dance community/education organization with similar youth-development emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MADDRHYTHMS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MADDRHYTHMS
• Facebookfacebook.com/M.A.D.D.Rhythms
• Instagraminstagram.com/maddrhythms
• TikToktiktok.com/@maddrhythms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/m-a-d-d-rhythms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about M.A.D.D. Rhythms