Our Group classes are back starting Saturday, September 18th!

Group classes listed here are included in tuition for all students currently enrolled in private lessons at KSMA.
If you are not a current KSMA Student and are interested in participating in our group classes, you can register HERE.

Classes will be in-person, but we will provide links via e-mail for students to participate via Zoom.

Download the Group Class List for 2021/2022

Recordings of tunes for Fiddle and Folk Classes can be found HERE!

 

Special Offerings
and Group Class Descriptions:

All registration forms can be found at www. kanack.org/registration-and-policies/

Special Offerings

PreTwinkle Violin and Cello Classes – a 10-week course to introduce both the student and parent to the world of violin or cello lessons.  With a strong focus on improvisation (From Alice Kanack’s new method “Playing From the Heart) students begin creating music from the very beginning playing with backing tracks while being introduced to the skills that will prepare them to begin playing Suzuki repertoire.  This class is perfect for students around ages 3-8 but is open to older and as young as 2 if appropriate.  After the 10-week course students and parents will be ready to be assigned to a teacher and begin private lessons.  Sessions are often offered beginning in Setpember/October, January/February, and Spring/Summer.

• PreTwinkle Cello – Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:30am
• PreTwinkle Violin – Saturdays, 12 – 1pm

Chamber Music, Folk Bands, and Jazz Bands –  Open to all instruments, these extra opportunities are offered in three 10-week sessions throughout the year.  Members who register are placed in a group based on level, age, requests, and availability and placed with a coach at a weekly time that works for everyone.  After 10 weeks the groups will perform and a new session will begin.  Registration is required and there is an added cost for these groups.

• Session 1 Registration deadline – 9/25/2021
• Session 2 Registration deadline – 12/21/2021
• Session 3 Registration deadline – 3/12/2022

Group Classes

CAD Improvisation Classes – Creative Ability Development is a method developed by Alice Kanack centered here at the Kanack School and gaining popularity worldwide.   Through the use of musical (and other genres) improvisation, students develop their creativity, learn social skills, and learn how to express their own musical personalities.  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!”

CAD Arts Program – Based on a CAD preschool plan 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.

Beginner and Basic Levels – 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. 

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.

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.  The CAD Tour Group travels to give performances in other parts of the US and Canada with a possible trip to Finland being discussed.

• • CAD Arts Program – Saturdays, 9 – 10:15am
  • Beginner & Basic Level Classes – Thursday, 5:45 – 6:30pm
  • Basic & Intermediate Level Classes – Saturday, 11:15am – 12pm
  • Advanced Improv/Tour Group – Saturdays, 4 – 6pm (instructor permission required) 

Fiddle and Folk Music – Open to all instruments.  Students learn tunes in multiple styles and learn how to play backup and develop a tune into a great performance.  Tunes are mostly taught by ear and reading music is not a required skill.  Beginner Fiddle and Folk Music is meant for students from “Etude” in Book 1 through Book 4 (or equivalent).  Intermediate Fiddle and Folk Music is meant for students in Book 4 and up (or equivalent).  Advanced Fiddle and Folk Musicians can register to be placed in a band that will be scheduled based on the availability of members, a coach, and rooms.  

• Beginner Fiddle and Folk Music – Saturdays, 10 – 10:30am
• Intermediate Fiddle and Folk Music – Thursdays, 7:15 – 8pm

Suzuki Repertoire Classes – In Suzuki Repertoire Classes students gather in groups and play the repertoire they have been working on in lessons together.  For younger students, it will expose them to future songs they have not yet learned, better preparing them for when they get to that level.  For older students, the chance to review old songs helps to solidify technique and other skills.  In addition to playing repertoire students will play games designed to develop certain skills and will get a special focus on different techniques.  Classes are often split depending on the levels of the students attending. Virtuoso Violins branches out from Suzuki Repertoire and introduces advanced students to virtuosic pieces which they learn and perform as a group.

• Books 1-5 Violin, Cello, and Viola Classes – Saturdays, 10:30 – 11:15am & Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:15pm
• Virtuoso Violins – Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:15pm

Guitar Group Class – a mix of Suzuki and other music this class is a mixed level where guitar students come to play together.  Younger students are exposed to more advanced pieces they will learn in the future, better preparing them for when they reach that level, and older students are able to review former pieces and further develop their skills.  Students often play together in an ensemble with less advanced students being given easier parts that fit together with the more advanced songs.

• Guitar Group Class – Saturdays, 10:30 – 11:15am

Mandolin Ensemble – Open to all mandolin players!  This exciting group will put together and perform works for a group of mandolins.  Whether you are taking mandolin lessons or are studying another instrument and have a mandolin you play at home, this group is for you.

• Mandolin Ensemble – Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:15pm

Piano Seminar – Open to all pianists.  All of our piano teachers will take turns teaching this class with a different focus each meeting.  You may have the chance to perform for each other and get feedback, learn a new style, play piano ensemble pieces, and more.  This class will meet every other week opposite the KSMA Music Hour Recitals.

• Piano Seminar – Saturdays, 1 – 2pm
  • Dates:  9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13, 12/4, 1/8, 1/22, 2/5, 2/19, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/30, 5/14, 6/4

Orchestra – Open to all strings (and others with approval!).  We have two levels of Orchestra at KSMA.  Beginner Orchestra is for students in Books 2-4.  They should have some experience reading music, but do not need to have mastered that skill (this orchestra is meant to help with that!).  Music is chosen to be challenging but fun and help develop skills of note reading, playing in an ensemble where you have to fit you part in with other parts, counting, listening, dynamics, and much much more. KSSO (Kanack School Symphony Orchestra) is open to students in book 4 and up.  This group plays a high level of music and helps to develop expression, musicality, and sensitivity.  This group mostly performs without a conductor, encouraging more focused communication between its players.  Solo opportunities are often available.

• Beginner Orchestra – Saturdays, 12 – 12:45pm
• KSSO – Saturdays, 2:30 – 4pm

Chamber Music, Folk Bands, and Jazz Bands –  Open to all instruments, these extra opportunities are offered in three 10 week sessions throughout the year.  Members who register are placed in a group based on level, age, requests, and availability and placed with a coach at a weekly time that works for everyone.  After 10 weeks the groups will perform and a new session will begin.  Registration is required and there is an added cost for these groups.

• Session 1 Registration deadline – 9/25/2021
• Session 2 Registration deadline – 12/21/2021
• Session 3 Registration deadline – 3/12/2022

Music Hour Recitals – A biweekly informal recital.  This is an opportunity for students to perform a piece that is ready for performance when there is no studio recital coming up or a work in progress their teacher wants them to experience performing.  This is open to all students with teacher permission.  Just sign up online and perform.  Piano accompaniment, with a short rehearsal in the days before music hour will be provided when needed.

• Music Hour Recitals  Saturdays, 1 – 2pm
  • Dates: 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/11, 1/15, 1/29, 2/12, 3/5, 3/19, 4/2, 5/7, 5/21, 6/11

Recordings of tunes for Fiddle Classes can be found HERE!