MAKE A DIFFERENCE! DONATE TODAY
When you or a family member wants to learn about tap, where do you turn?
If you’re like most in our community, you turn to M.A.D.D. Rhythms
Why?
Because you know you will receive an absolute top notch tapdance education.
And you also know that you’ll be treated like a real person, by dedicated, compassionate tap professionals in a warm, caring environment.
Your contributions have helped make M.A.D.D. Rhythms one the leading tapdance organizations in the Country. We are so grateful to you for supporting our mission to preserve, promote and contribute to this artform called tap .
Thanks to you, our organization has touched the lives of thousands of youth – whether they needed a positive alternative to the streets, an outlet to express themselves or sought to improve their quality of life.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms is your community tapdance collective. We exist to serve you and your loved ones – to spread joy, love, discipline and creative expression.
In this uncertain economic time, we count on your support – now more than ever.
Your gift is extremely important to M.A.D.D. Rhythms because it provides resources that make an immediate impact – that will help us through these interesting – and tough – times.
Your gift of $100, $500, $1,000 or $5,000 can make all the difference…… to our instructors, our students, our programs, our communities, our support staff – to every one here who works to serve you.
Please consider making as generous a gift as you can.
As Chicago’s under-served communities continue to experience an increase in youth related violent crimes, your tap collective is committed to staying at the forefront – for you, for your loved ones, for every person in the community. Please help to make this possible with your contribution.
Your donation will make a world of difference. I promise you.
Thank you so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Look to the right! See the yellow DONATE button. Click it and make your year-end contribution today!
MADD Love, MADD Respect & MADD Thanks
It is with a great debt of gratitude, strong sense of accomplishment and extreme humility that I extend this heartfelt “Thank You” to each and every one who made “The Chicago Tap Summit 2018” and “FEELING GOOD: A MADD Tribute To Nina Simone” a resounding success! For 3 days straight, we immersed ourselves in the history, culture and rhythms of tapdance and came away with a renewed commitment to the legacy of the “HOOFERS” and the legacy of “JAZZ”
THANK YOU Jimalita Tillman and the Harold Washington Cultural Center for giving us a culturally rich and historically Significant HOME. THANK YOU Ted & Susan Oppenheimer and The Oppenheimer Family Foundation for generously supporting our mission to uphold the traditions of Tap and Jazz Thank You Tillman-Hunter Enterprises, Dancing Fair, Chicago South Loop Hotel, Northwest Chiropractix, GR33NINK, Chloe & Maud, O’Mara Sprung Floors and MartyBoard for your years of unwavering support. Thank You Conscious Plates for being new supporters and bringing healthy eating into the festival. THANK YOU WDB Marketing & Sol Designs for creating all of our imagery and Branding.
THANK YOU Sarah Savelli for your willingness and your constant and continuous contributions to the artform. Thank You Martin “Tre” Dumas III for having my back and sharing your wealth of tap knowledge unselfishly. Thank You Victoria Jones, Ja’Bowen Dixon and Latrell Garnett for staying connected to the family and always being just a phone call away. Thank You Jumaane Taylor for coming through in a clutch! Thank you Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson, Tristan Bruns for being my support system from inception to now! Thank You Alexandrya Fryson and Andrew Carr for coming out the gate swinging! The future of tap sounds good! Thank You Time Brickey, Carmen Paquette & KJ Sheldon for attending countless meetings and doing so much extra work. Thank you Devin Mosely, Ivy Anderson, Izaiah Harris, Brennen Parker, Keyana Latimer, Molly Sute and Rachel Benzing for supporting our mission in various ways! Last, but not least, Thank You Megan Davis for, once again, taking on more than any one person should take on…..present company included……without you, this would not have happened! I am in your debt!
Thank You Peggy Sutton and Muriel Foster for taking the time to share your stories and the legacies of Tommy Sutton, Sammy Dyer & Jimmy Payne Sr. We owe a great deal of appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our ancestors, so that we can tapdance! #NeverForget #RespectTheDance #History
THANK YOU Audrey Barrett aka Mama Rhythms for having me, raising me and supporting me in everything I do! Thank You to all the Apprentices and your families for being totally invested in M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Thank you Bemaji Tillman, Robert Hayes and Phoenix Singleton for making sure that we could be seen and heard on that stage! Thank you Ben “Jammin” Jonson for going above and beyond on this project. You believing in my vision made it so much more! Thank You Dee Alexander, Maggie Brown, Joan Collaso and Tecora Rogers for lending your voices and your energy. You all brought Nina Simone to life in a way, that even, I couldn’t imagine. Thank You Buddy Fambro, Chuck Webb and Theodis Rogers for bringing JAZZ to everyone’s ears, hearts, souls and soles! Thank You Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre & Hip Hop ConnXion for showing up and showing out!
If I forgot to Thank anyone, please charge it to my head, not my heart! See you 2019!
Chicago Tap Summit 2017 Sponsorship Opportunities
We are reaching out to you, our community, our friends and supporters, to participate in this event by being a sponsor for the upcoming Chicago Tap Summit 2017 and production titled “Chicago: Sole Sounds of the Windy City”. The sponsorship rate is $1,000 and includes your logo placement on all printed and web specific materials, tickets to the show and the ability to make an announcement from the stage if you’d like. Please send your check/money order to our office by September 30, 2017, to be presented at our October 13th – 15th event.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Needs Your VOTE – Help Us Get An $100,000 Grant To Make Even MORE Of A Difference Dancing Rhythms
Dear friends, family, fans, supporters and recipients of various opportunities provided by
M.A.D.D. Rhythms,
We are calling on you to help us reach the next level of consideration for a $100,000 grant from Chase.
All it takes is 1 click of the above image and your vote is cast.
We are more than halfway there, but we need you to put us over the top!
Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to help us continue to help our communities!
-Bril Barrett
Founder/Director of M.A.D.D. Rhythms
SUMMER 2011 6-week session
SUMMER 2011
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy
Satellite classes at The Harold Washington Cultural Center
4701 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL. 60615
Online registration is encouraged
6-week Summer Session Jul. 9 – Aug. 13 – Sat. Only
Register TODAY for your session. Space is limited.
DAY | TIME | INSTRUCTOR | LEVEL | FEE | AGES |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday | 11am – 12noon | Star | Toddler Tap | $90 | 3-4 |
Saturday | 12noon – 1pm | Bril | Beginning Basics | $90 | 5-8 |
Saturday | 1pm – 2pm | Bril | Never 2 old 2 start | $90 | 18+ |
Saturday | 2pm – 3pm | Star | Intermediate | $90 | All Ages |
Saturday | 3pm – 4pm | Bril | Advanced | $90 | All Ages |
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy
Satellite classes at Big City Swing
1012 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL. 60607
Online Registration is encouraged
Tap – Options for all levels
4-Week Summer Session July 14, 21, 28 and Aug. 4
Early Bird Registration $45 until July 10, 2011
$50 after
Online registration only
DAY | TIME | INSTRUCTOR | LEVEL | FEE | AGES |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thursdays | Tap I – 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Bril | Tap I | $45 | All Ages |
Thursdays |
Tap II – 7:00pm – 8:00pm
|
Bril | Tap II | $45 | All Ages |
Thursdays | Tap III 8:00pm – 9:00pm | Bril | Tap III | $45 | All Ages |

Please register early as spaces are filled on a first come-first served basis. Any class with less than 5 students will be cancelled immediately and all monies refunded. Call 773.256.1899 or email us at tapacademy@maddrhythms.com for more information.
Download our tap shoe supplier list. CLICK HERE
Use the pull down menu below to select your class and register for the 2011 Winter Session of the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.
For more information about the Tap Academy email tapacademy@maddrhythms.com or call (773) 604-1899
Tap Academy | Fall 2010
M.A.D.D. Rhythms has a new home! As a matter of fact we have 4 new homes!
The Harold Washington Cultural Center
Lou Conte Dance Studios
Latin Street Dancing
Big City Swing Read more

Youth Boot Camp 2010
Register today for the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Youth Tap Boot Camp.
The early bird special will not last long. Register today for just $175.00. Early bird registration ends May 21st, 2010. Then the regular price will be in effect ($200.00). Don’t let your children miss out on this exclusive week of training from the world renowned M.A.D.D. Rhythms crew!
RESPECT THE DANCE!
Youth Tap Boot Camp runs June 21 – 25, 2010.
(Week 2 details coming soon)
Snacks will be provided everyday.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Youth Tap Boot Camp Daily Schedule
1pm – 2pm Improvisation
2pm – 2:05 Break
2:05 – 3:05 Technique
3:05 – 3:20 Snack (always healthy)
3:20 – 4:20 Choreography
4:20 – 4:30 Break
4:30 – 5pm Footage/History