Next cohort begins May 29, 2026

 

OVERVIEW

Accepted applicants will complete 200+ hour certification process including: 

• Apprentice – shadow and workshop with Lower Left teaching artists for three ET Labs 

• ETC Conversations – participate in monthly Zoom meetings (Sept-Nov and Jan-April) 

• Collaborative Cohort – be a part of a community of invested ET Certification participants

• Manual – lifelong access to the ever-evolving Ensemble Thinking manual 

• Pedagogical Retreat – attend one 3-day/weekend Pedagogical Retreat in June 2026 with cohort

• Reflection- write a culminating reflection

This self-directed process will take from one to three years.

 

COST

$3500 for 2026 cohort certification program

* Travel, housing and Ensemble Thinking™ Labs tuition are not included. 

Pay in full by May 22, 2026 for discounted rate of $3,250 USD or pay with the following payment schedule:
May 22, 2026 –  $1500 USD due
November 1, 2026 – $1500 USD due
May 1, 2027 –  $500 USD due

 

PREREQUISITES

Attend 45 hours of Ensemble Thinking™ Labs with Lower Left: 

• 3 labs of 15 hrs of ET, 5 days in length or equivalent 

• These 45 hours must be completed prior to joining the certification process

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Apply by filling out this form 

  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdg-bIFyYsDUQP9JmVelspj8qZLJogpobzORxkv1ll86AEkhA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

• March 21, 2026 – Applications due 

• April 1, 2026 – Selected participants will receive email notification of acceptance 

• May 29, 2026, Friday – required first info/intro zoom meeting 8:00 AM PST / 10:00 AM CST / 17:00 CET

• August 7-9, 2026 – required ETC Pedagogical Retreat in Marfa, TX

• A maximum of six ET Certification participants will be accepted per cohort.

• The certification should be completed within a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years. The exact timeline is self-determined in collaboration with Lower Left. 

 

REQUIREMENTS TO ACQUIRE CERTIFICATION

Accepted applicants will complete 200+ hour certification process including:

• Apprenticing

  • Participating and apprenticing in a minimum of three 15 hour ET Labs. 

  • As an apprentice, you –

    • Sign up for specific ET Labs as an apprentice 

    • Register, pay, and participate in the ET Lab and arrange/pay for your own travel, food, lodging

    • Participate in meetings with teaching artists, outside of ET Lab hours 

    • Submit a reflection after each ET Lab

  • Alternatively, apprentices can organize and produce a 15 hour ET Lab in your own community and invite Lower Left artist(s) to teach.

• ETC Conversations

  • Cohort Zooms – Required participation in a minimum of seven pedagogical cohort conversations on Zoom

    • One and a half hours long

    • On the third Friday of each month from Sept-Nov and Jan-May

    • Beginning at 8:00 AM PST / 9:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM CST / 11:00 AM EST / 17:00 CET

    • With cohort and Lower Left/ET Certified artists

  • Solo Zooms – individually scheduled 30 minutes with multiple Lower Left artists

• Collaborative Cohort

  • Your cohort will be an invaluable resource 

  • You will connect as a cohort via the ETC Zooms and the ETC Pedagogical Retreat

  • You will be part of a larger network of ET practitioners

• Manual

  • Exclusive access to the digital manual 

  • Various creative tools to support your teaching 

  • Lifetime access 

  • Ensemble Thinking™ is a constantly evolving system and the manuals will continue to evolve to reflect the developments

• Pedagogical Retreat (held annually for ET Certifying participants only)

  • Cohort retreat will be August 7-9, 2026 in Marfa, TX 

  • Arrange your own travel and lodging 

  • Aug 7, 2026 – Arrive by Friday 5:00 PM 

  • Aug 9, 2026 – Depart after 5:00 PM Sunday

  • Food for lunch and dinner on Saturday provided 

  • Retreat included in Certification fee

  • You may attend future Pedagogical Retreats for an additional charge, if desired

• Reflection and Final Certification process

  • Write a culminating reflection (detailed directions TBA)

  • Receive official certificate of completion of Ensemble Thinking™ Certification from Lower Left Legacy Project

  • Use of the Ensemble Thinking™ registered mark and logo  

  • Listed on the Ensemble Thinking™ website as a Ensemble Thinking™ Certified teacher

 

QUESTIONS

The Ensemble Thinking Certification process is continually developing in relation to interest, context, and the collective. Please reach out if you have ideas, concerns, or questions.

Email – lowerleftcollective@gmail.com