Milestones for Creative Ability Development
The Eureka Moment
One day while teaching in 1982, Alice Kanack, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, accidentally discovered brilliant creative ability in an otherwise struggling student, which led her to research, experiment, and test her own theories regarding innate creative ability and the workings of the creative brain.
Research & Experimentation
The study of writings by great creative geniuses in all fields revealed a shared common process which became the basis of the Creative Process Theory and the Creative Ability Development Method.
Years of experimental study followed to test the Creative Process Theory and pedagogical concepts.
Recognition
In 1984, world-famous pedagogue, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, publicly nicknamed Alice, “Mozart’s Mother,” in recognition of her groundbreaking work in developing a method to teach creativity to children.
Books
After ten years of experimenting and sharing the method with programs around the world, the first CAD books were published by Alfred in 1995. Several more followed over the years, with many more currently in development.
CAD Becomes an International Movement
In recent years, CAD has been taught around the world in many different languages by a small but dedicated group of teachers. It has spread among Suzuki teachers, public school teachers, private music studios, outreach programs, college campuses and more. Conferences, retreats and reunions are increasing due to the demand for more connectivity among teachers. There is a need now to organize and build relationships that bridge multiple languages, experiences and circumstances.