Spiral & Root: Professional CI Training 2027

Welcome to a three-week immersion in Contact Improvisation research, pedagogy, and professional training, taking place from January 8th through 29th, 2027. This gathering offers a deep and sustained environment for those ready to engage with CI in an intensive way, with space for inquiry, practice, and growth.

Led by eight teachers from Europe, Asia, and North America, this training brings together a remarkable range of experience and instruction. The program is designed to support targeted CI research while creating a strong container for learning, dialogue, and development.

Featuring:

• Alicia Grayson
• Mirva Mäkinen
• Chris Aiken
• Ming Shen Ku
• Sarah Young
• Symara Sarai
• Meta Bobbe
• Daniel Hayes

Who is this for?

This training is a meeting place for experienced dancers, emerging practitioners, and those interested in the ongoing evolution of CI. Alongside technical refinement for practicing and facilitating CI, the program also supports career development, offering tools, connections, and new possibilities for those weaving CI into community-building work and professional practice. There will also be opportunities to reflect on the original values and intentions of Contact Improvisation.

The Venue

Earthdance, the oldest intentional community founded on Contact Improv, has long hosted rigorous trainings for teachers and dedicated practitioners. Since 1986, it has been rooted in improvisation, heart-centered community, and movement research informed by CI. As the form and its understanding of community have continued to evolve, Earthdance has adapted as well, welcoming countless jams and trainings that support the dance’s ongoing development.

Program For Spiral & Root 2027:

WEEK ONE

Friday January 8th
Arrival, Welcoming Circle & Jam
Alicia Grayson/ mornings
Saturday Jan 9th – Thursday Jan 14th
Ming Shen Ku/ afternoons
Saturday Jan 9th – Thursday Jan 14th
9th/13th evening Jams
10th Building a culture of care talk – Daniel Hayes
12th Earthdance History talk
Friday Jan. 15th Rest & Digest

WEEK TWO

Chris Aiken & Ming Shen Ku
Saturday 16th – Sunday 18th
Mornings & Afternoons.
Sarah Young & Meta Bobbe
Tuesday 19th – Thursday 21st
Mornings & Afternoons.
Wednesday 21st afternoon
Study groups
16th/ 18th/ evening Jams
17th Northampton Jam
19th evening Building a culture of care talk – Daniel Hayes
20th evening with the "+- Underscore group"
21st afternoon CI Politics conversation – Daniel Hayes
Friday Jan 22 Rest & Digest

WEEK THREE

Mirva Mäkinen
Saturday 23rd- Thursday 28th
Mornings
Symara Sarai
Saturday 23rd- Wednesday 27th
Afternoons
23rd/ 24th/ 26th evening Jams
25th CI somaesthetic performance talk
28th Performance & party
Friday Jan 29th Brunch, Departures & Good Byes

Diversity, resources, and access

Questions of access, diversity, and the careful sharing of limited resources are central to this training. The organizers aim to hold space for the many cultures, languages, and perspectives present across the three weeks, while remaining mindful that the training takes place in the U.S. and will inevitably be shaped by U.S. politics and frameworks. Rather than centering U.S. cultural assumptions, the intention is to welcome a broad range of positionalities and to support communication across differences in language and comprehension.

To help make participation more financially accessible, three half-scholarships are available, each valued at $1,170. Applications are open for the 2027 training.

Applying to Participate

Participation is intended for intermediate to advanced Contact Improvisation practitioners. A solid level of skill and experience is required so that everyone can fully engage with the material and keep pace with the classes and peers. Beginners are not suited to this training.

Before registering, applicants are asked to complete the required form so the organizers can determine whether this is the right time to join. After review, invited participants will receive a registration link. If you are unsure about your current level or have questions, you are encouraged to reach out for guidance.

The Venue:

Earthdance includes two main buildings: the Farmhouse and the Gratitude Lodge. The Farmhouse houses two large dance studios, a commercial kitchen, a library, a community closet, and a bodywork room. The Gratitude Lodge is the main lodging space and is connected to the Farmhouse by a short wooded trail, about a three-minute walk. The lodge has three floors and offers shared rooms with bunk beds in twin and double sizes. Rooms vary in capacity, with some accommodating 4–6 sleepers and others 9–13. Beds are assigned on a first come, first served basis, and rooms are not divided by gender unless requested. Each participant receives one dresser drawer; additional belongings may be kept in suitcases.

Together In Community:

As part of the experience, participants are invited to contribute to the shared care of the space. Each person will complete two work shifts per week, typically meal cleanup, along with an all-house clean at the end of each week. Each shift lasts about 1.5 hours and is led by an Earthdance community member. These responsibilities help lower the overall cost of the training while also creating opportunities to connect with fellow participants and staff and feel at home in the space.

Pricing

Participation uses a sliding-scale tiered payment system. There are 30 regular spots in total, with five tickets reserved for each of the six tiers. The tier you choose should reflect your personal and financial situation. Your contribution is self-selected, and you are invited to stretch where possible so others may also have the opportunity to attend.

Six Tiers:
$2,450
$2,650
$2,850
$3,050
$3,250
$3,450