Carol Kay Harsell
Founder/PresidentCarol Kay Harsell is Chief Executive Officer and President of
Kinderdance International, Inc., based in Melbourne, Florida. Kinderdance
leisure and entertainment franchise was originally conceived and developed by Ms. Harsell, who started dancing at the age of 3 and has been involved with dance and early childhood education ever since.
She always had three major loves: education, dance and business, which motivated her to attend and graduate from Dance Educators of America, New York City Teacher Training School. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Dance, and a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Education and Dance.
Ms. Harsell is a published author and has conducted research in early childhood education and communication through dance. She established the American Academy of Dance, Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has an extensive background in dance instruction, having taught people of all ages, levels and physical abilities in ballet, tap, acrobatics, jazz and creative movement. She has also conducted dance and movement therapy workshops at local, state, national, and international conferences and has worked as a consultant to many Universities, YMCAs, Private and Public School Systems, Hospitals, and for the National Committee on Arts for the Handicapped.
As a performer she appeared with the New York City and New Jersey State Ballet Companies, and has performed and choreographed numerous solo and group concerts. She not only is a talented dancer/choreographer, but also won a scholarship for voice to the Master Works Chorus in New Jersey. Ms. Harsell has combined her talents in dance and voice to write original music and songs for the Kinderdance programs.
Since 1979 she has been solely devoted to developing curriculums and educating preschoolers through dance and training Kinderdance Teachers and Franchisees in the Kinderdance children's franchise teaching methods and procedures which are successfully being taught to thousands of young children throughout the United States, and the World.
Bernard Friedman
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
In 1980, Friedman teamed with Carol Kay Harsell and began the process of expanding the Kinderdance
womens franchise concept with the goal of making the company a successful franchise operation.
Friedman has an extensive background, both as a Franchisor and a Franchisee. From 1961 to 1973 he was instrumental in starting and developing several auto leasing and auto rental operations, two of which became nationally recognized franchise companies and ultimately were listed and marketed on the American Stock Exchange.
In 1973, looking for a new challenge, he opened a new car dealership, becoming a Franchisee for Chrysler Corporation. In 1979 he semi-retired and moved to Arizona, where he met and worked with Harsell at the American Academy of Dance. Together, they developed the Kinderdance® franchise concept. Prior to 1961, Friedman served in the merchant marines for 12 years, traveling around the world numerous times.
18-Aug-2008