Who We Are

About Nida Butt – Co-Founder

Nida Butt is a visionary and accomplished creative professional, making waves as an award-winning director, producer, and arts manager. Over the past two decades, she has founded three groundbreaking organizations in Karachi: MAD School, Made for Stage Productions, and I Am Karachi. Each of these institutions has emerged as a pioneer and vibrant hub for the arts, playing a vital role in transforming the cultural landscape of the region..

MAD has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent in the performing arts. It became a training ground for future actors, dancers, and musicians. It emphasized *accessibility to the arts*, offering workshops, classes, and training to people from all walks of life. MAD School has successfully executed 16 theater and music community programs in Karachi, collaborating with stakeholders such as USAID, UNICEF, the U.S. State Department, local government bodies, and the corporate sector. Under Butt’s leadership, MAD has numerous impactful initiatives, including the I Am Karachi Music Festival and innovative free arts education programs like Music on Campus, Karachi Stars, and Braadri Broadcast. Through these efforts, MAD has empowered thousands of young people by providing platforms for them to learn performing arts. The school has served as a community hub, fostering creative expression and talent development in a country where arts education is often overlooked.

About Hamza Jafri – Co-Founder

Hamza Jafri is a multi-faceted artist known for wearing several hats, including Music Director, Composer, Singer/Songwriter, and Arts Educationist. His journey in the world of music and education is nothing short of remarkable. A founding member of Pakistan’s premier rock act, Hamza played a pivotal role as co-VEN’s lead vocalist and guitarist. The band’s music is celebrated for its revolutionary spirit, addressing thought-provoking themes that resonate deeply with its audience. Hamza’s expertise extends to stringed instruments, and in 2009, he founded The Guitar School in Lahore, where he imparted his knowledge and skills to aspiring musicians. However, destiny had other plans for him when he, alongside his wife Nida, co-founded MAD School in 2010, making a significant mark in arts education. In 2011, Hamza composed 12 original songs and background scores for Pakistan’s first original theatre musical, ‘KARACHI the Musical.’ This began a prolific journey as a music composer, contributing to numerous projects that required his exceptional talent. His musical journey also took him on tours with contemporaries like Zeb & Haniya and Noori. He made his presence felt at Coke Studio as a soloist and was later selected for the US State Department’s International Center Stage Program, representing his exceptional musical prowess on the global stage.

In 2015, Hamza assumed the role of Director of programming for the I Am Karachi Music Festival and the Karachi Mubarak festivals, demonstrating his commitment to promoting native cultural music through live performances. His visionary project, Braadri Broadcast, brought to life a 34-piece all-traditional ethnic acoustic orchestra and singing ensemble, elevating the cultural music landscape. Hamza’s dedication to nurturing young talent is evident through his leadership in the free arts education program, Karachi Stars, aimed at youth from underserved communities. Under his mentorship, this platform has paved the way for countless talented young artists to step into the limelight and seize the opportunity to rise to stardom. Hamza Jafri’s journey is a testament to his unending passion, commitment, and invaluable contributions to the world of music and arts education.