Creative Ability Development Improvisation

Creative Ability Development is a method developed by Alice Kanack and centered here at the Kanack School, gaining popularity worldwide. Through the use of musical and other kinds of improvisation, students develop their creativity, grow their social skills and confidence, and learn how to express their own unique personalities according to their own taste.  Available for all instruments at different levels, these popular classes have a huge impact on student growth. 

The most important rule: “There is no such thing as a mistake!”

  • A young student in a red shirt smiles with his eyes closed as he raises his arms like a musical conductor or director.

    CAD Pre-School Arts Program

    This class uses visual art, storytelling, movement, and musical improvisation to develop the creative, intellectual, and social growth of our youngest students.  Designed for students 3-5 this class is also open to and popular with older students.

    Photo by Norah Gebel

  • Two children play violin and cello together.

    Beginner Level

    Students play music games where they improvise together in groups.  Students are rarely exposed and are able to feel comfortable trying new things and discovering what sounds they enjoy. 

    Photo by Zander Pickens

  • A class of violin students waiting to begin.

    Intermediate Level

    Games from the beginner and basic level are adapted and new games are introduced that allow students to have moments where they stand out.  While still playing in groups these students are now more comfortable improvising and having their voices be heard.

    Photo by Norah Gebel

  • A smiling class of music students and their teachers poses outdoors for a group photo.

    Advanced Level

    Students at the advanced level are comfortable and eager to share their voices.  Games are used for warm-up and students create performance pieces, improvised chamber music, and more.

  • Two serious students face each other in dueling musical solos.

    Tour Group

    The CAD Tour Group travels away from home to demonstrate the CAD Method at conferences and concerts. Students may be invited to join Tour Group once they are fluent in improvisation and ready to engage in high levels of musical trust and adaptability with their classmates. The Tour Group has previously traveled to give performances across the United States and Canada.

  • Wall art made of many pieces of painted paper, and, in the center, two birds singing at each other in mid air.

    CAD Improvisation for Adults

    CAD is for everyone! Students can work on the creative side of their brains at any age. Join other adult students looking to develop their own creativity.

    We offer this class intermittently: get in touch with us to see when we are offering it next!

The Three Rules
of Creative Ability Development

  • There is no such thing as a mistake.

    Anyone who interrupts a creator’s flow — by offering suggestions or criticisms — becomes the creator by virtue of their criticism. Therefore, criticism is not allowed.

  • Silence and Applause. We listen when others are creating and we applaud them when they are done.

    All creativity is built on creations which came before; therefore, we listen when someone shares their ideas and thank them by applauding those ideas. CAD classrooms are full of joyful applause and respect for the ideas of others.

  • Never criticize a friend (and we’re all friends).

    Since there is no such thing as a mistake, no one is ever allowed to criticize another person.

  • Children who are raised in this environment:

    • Learn to collaborate and create with others

    • Learn to respect each other’s ideas

    • Have a high self-esteem

    • Are easily able to express themselves