After decades of research and development, the Ensemble Thinking™ Certification program was officially launched in the summer of 2025. This is a 200+ hour certification process for teachers and practitioners to take a deeper dive into Ensemble Thinking™ practice, performance, and pedagogy.
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 – access to the ever-evolving Ensemble Thinking manual
- Pedagogical Retreat – attend one 3-day/weekend Pedagogical Retreat in August 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
- 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
- Cohort Zooms – Required participation in a minimum of seven pedagogical cohort conversations on Zoom
- 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
- Resources
- Access to the Ensemble Thinking™ handbook and articles
- Access to the Ensemble Thinking™ handbook and articles
- 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