Helen Terry

Principal & Choreographer for Madhatters

Hi, I’m Miss Helen

I began my teaching career in 2008 with ‘Dancetime’ under the guidance of Miss Angela Peacock, the IDTA area organiser and senior examiner. A few years later, Miss Peacock passed the school on to me — and just like that, I became a qualified teacher. After her passing, Madhatters Dance and Theatre Academy was born out of her love for performance and the joy she brought to so many dancers.

Since then, Madhatters has grown into a lively, creative community. We’ve had prop-making days, danceathons, team costume-sewing sessions, outdoor photo
shoots, and the creation of countless wonderful shows. Our welcoming, family-style ethos is at the heart of everything we do.

I’m proud to encourage our students to take part in the Guild and to build the confidence they need to achieve their best — whether on stage or in the examination
room. We currently hold a 100% pass rate, something I’m incredibly honoured by.

More about Helen

• When not teaching dance you can find me testing eyes or singing with Manx Voices.

• My superpower is turning messy hair into stage ready perfection

• I am fantastic at catching mischievous ballet ribbons before anyone else can notice

• My official tap-counting method: “One, two, three... dum de dum de diddle-ydum! Keep up!

• Give me a cup of tea and a spark of inspiration, and suddenly my stage skills and teaching ideas team up to create a whole new show piece. Honestly, half our productions start with me saying, “I’ve had a thought...”

• I’m known for having the occasional ridiculous idea, and once it pops into my head, I just have to try it. Those moments often lead to our most memorable adventures at Madhatters.

• Not crazy – just Madhatter certified. I have the hat to prove it!

Favourite Memory:

Seeing my own children step up and join the team, whether onstage or off, was a real pinch-me moment. It felt like the magic of Madhatters had come full circle. Back in my “young” days, I somehow ended up choreographing a whole musical at school. Little did anyone know that was just the beginning.

Qualifications

Qualified instructor – specialist in Ballet
Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology IDTA
Licentiate in Ballet IDTA
PBT Certified
BA Hons Stage Management and Technical Theatre
First aid Trained
Child protection Certified
Enhanced DBS Checked

As the founder of Madhatters Dance and Theatre Academy, I’ve spent the past 17 years teaching on the Isle of Man and sharing my love of dance and performance with hundreds of young people.