The unique concept behind MAD Academy was first developed by Helen Harrington when she decided to pursue a different career path after having her first child. She had always wanted to run her own business and she soon spotted an exciting gap in the market when she was looking for a suitable class for her son. She really wanted to find a music group which was high energy and encouraged physical movement, but everything she went to was sedentary and failed to engage her or excite her little boy. So Helen decided to establish her own classes!
Helen was well placed to create such a business – music had been a life-long passion. As a child she had learned the piano and had went on to have professional voice training. When she got older she sang in a band, performing across London and the Thames Valley. She has continued to sing publically throughout her life, and more recently has lead choirs and has become a very successful vocal coach, working on a one to one basis with clients.
As well as her musical background, Helen started her working life in the IT industry where she forged a successful business career working at first in marketing, sales and associated training. In 1997 she joined the marketing team of BBC Worldwide and spent 5 years working on some of the most popular and well-loved brands in the world, including Noddy, Eastenders, Only Fools and Horses, The Fast Show and more. She managed sales and marketing teams for the UK division as well as managing children’s brands such as Tweenies and Teletubbies on a global basis.
In creating MAD Academy, Helen was able to combine her musical expertise with her business experience. She collaborated with experts in dance and child development to come up with the concept and after a year conducting market research, developing materials for classes and running trials, MAD Academy was launched in January 2004. Since then, it has grown rapidly – primarily by word of mouth – and has already established its reputation as a leading provider of music and dance classes for preschool children. It seems there are many more parents out there, besides Helen who are looking for just such a class!
Find out more about the ethos behind the MAD Academy curriculum and about the business opportunities we offer!
