Unplugged Dance 2025 | 7-week residential dance education program in Lefkada, Ionian islands, Greece
We are thrilled to announce the 4th edition of Unplugged Dance, a 7-week residential dance education program designed to encourage deep personal and collective learning in the fields of dance and somatic practices. Running from May to June 2025, this program offers participants the opportunity to engage in a holistic exploration of dance through contemporary methods that promote agency while cultivating an environment of collective care.
Our approach derives from a desire to experience dance in concepts and ways that don’t restrict themselves in movement aesthetics or technics, but neither condemns them. Instead further explores dance as a powerful mechanism for reaching the world within and the world around us. A time nurturing program for self and collective awareness that encourages participants to take responsibility for their own learning, make decisions, and shape their personal practice.
By creating a space where every participant feels seen, heard, and valued, we cultivate an environment that promotes mutual respect and encourages individuals to grow in a collective spirit. Through a balance of personal practice and collective inquiry, participants will have the space to deepen their own processes or even systematize their work in relation to movement and the art of dance.
When: 11 May – 29 June 2025
Where: Paleohori Art-Space, Neochori, Lefkada, Ionian Islands, Greece
Maximum number of participants: 18
Spots left: 2
Deadline for applications: Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all remaining spots are filled.
What to expect
Unplugged Dance 2025 offers a blend of structured and organic learning through:
⫸ Experiential Workshops: Led by international facilitators, these sessions explore the relationship between body awareness and creative expression through dance improvisation, experiential anatomy, theory and critical thinking. Their orientation is dance experience as a field of observation, experimentation and creativity. Their methods are drawing from student-centered teaching methodologies and employing teaching tools such as: verbal guided improvisation through visualization and somatic imagery; scores; kinesthetic instructions; sensorial explorations; hands-on practices; playful explorations through props; drawing and vocal activation for body awareness. Also: shared feedback in a non-judgmental environment; individual reflective processes like journaling, automatic writing, or sensory mapping aimed at feeding back into and dialoguing with the dance practice, and more.
⫸ Seminars and open discussions: Specialized seminars on theory, somatics, anatomy, dramaturgy, performance and more. Open questions on the philosophical, political and socio-cultural relevance, such as;
⋗How can we create Dance through the prism of embodiment?
⋗Why choose this approach to dance?
⋗How can a dance method encourage agency, empowerment, and creative expression?
⋗How can practices of embodiment influence the socio political aspect of dance?
⋗How agency and collective care work together to create a space that is not only about personal growth but also about building stronger, more connected communities through dance? and many more.
⋗What is the significance of method, methodology, practice, research, and pedagogy in dance?
⋗How can I systematize my personal practice to share it with others?
… and more
⫸ Early morning soft awakening practices: Mobility and coordination sessions for awakening of the body and conditioning.
⫸ Personal and Collective Integration Time: Opportunities to reflect, connect, and grow through heart circles, feedback sessions and group sharings. Scheduled time for self-practice and research alone-together on the platform.
⫸ Mentoring: Three 3h scheduled mentoring sessions with any of the program’s teachers.
⫸ Shared living space:
One of the aspects that makes this program so unique is the way we share time and space. The location and geography of Paleohori that hosts the program, encourages communal exchange and collaboration.
Who Is It For?
This year’s program is seeking individuals who are ready to commit to a deeper learning and research process. It is open to both professionals and non-professionals with an interest in dance, movement, and somatic practices. Specifically, it is an ideal opportunity for:
⫸ Professionals in Performance, Dance, or Visual Arts: Individuals with years of experience who are interested in informing their personal practices with experiential anatomy, body awareness, and self-regulation tools and exploring their work through the lens of embodiment, with a focus on qualities such as self-reflection, observation, non-goal orientation, and care.
⫸ Recent Graduates: Artists who have recently completed a formal education and are seeking a nourishing, empowering community to reveal their inner core and systematize their own personal practices into educational or creative methods, while meeting, connecting, exploring and sharing into a vibrant, non-institutional community.
⫸ Dance Therapists & Somatics Practitioners: Individuals who wish to expand their practices into a creative process informed by contemporary artistic methods and creative tools.
⫸ Critical Thinkers: Those looking to engage in meaningful discussions on methodology, pedagogy, dance dramaturgy through the prism of embodiment and the socio-political dimensions of dance.
Program Structure
‘land’ week one ⋗ 12 – 16 May
A week to land, meet each other, set a common ground.
Kyveli and Yorgos are facilitating this week and holding the space for participants to explore and get familiarized with the land, the program’s aspects and each other’s needs.
‘(un)learn – question – absorb – practice -explore’ week two – five ⋗ 19 May – 13 June
These four weeks will accommodate the main educational part of this program. Each week will host a different 3h workshop facilitated by different teachers, Monday-Friday, and specialized seminars. Integration time and personal practice time will be available alone-together on the platform, and/or outside of it.
’embody’ weeks six-seven ⋗ 16 – 27 June
The two last weeks of the program will be more flexible, and less facilitated. Participants will have the opportunity to take time to integrate all the information, and let it reveal through creating, sharing or just by being.
◘
Daily schedule
*small changes may be applied until the start of the program
07∘00-08∘30 early morning practice | mobility
09∘00-09∘40 breakfast
10∘30-12∘30 morning workshop | personal practice on Thursdays
12∘30-13∘30 integration time | personal practice
13∘30-14∘15 lunch
15∘30-16∘30 heart circle
17∘00-20∘00 afternoon workshop
20∘30-21∘10 light dinner
◘
More things that you may want to know before applying
⫸ Arrival is on Sunday 11 May, departure is on Sunday 29 June. These dates are the same for everyone, and we cannot accept later arrivals nor earlier departures.
⫸ Weekends are free days for personal or communal time to integrate and recharge for next week. Only breakfast and light dinner are included.
⫸ Every participant is invited to take responsibility for their presence in the space by contributing to its daily care. This involves small, collective, and individual efforts to keep the shared space clean, well-maintained, and tidy. These are simple daily rituals rather than labor-intensive tasks and are expected from everyone staying in the space, as it will be our ‘home’ for a while. These communal activities not only help maintain common spaces but also deepen our connection with the environment and one another. By integrating them into our daily rhythm, we cultivate a shared sense of responsibility while nourishing creativity and sustainability.
What we offer
- 187h of classes | open discussions | seminars | workshops
- 9h of 1:1 mentoring sessions (3 sessions in total) with any of the program’s teachers.
- Scheduled time for self-practice and research
- 3 vegetarian meals per day
- Shared accommodation
Tuition 3900 euros
How to apply
Apply by submitting the following application form https://forms.gle/Uw2uzAnJsmuaoHdj6
⊡
Maximum number of participants: 18
Spots left: 2
Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all remaining spots are filled.
Selected applicants will be invited for an interview, and notifications of acceptance are typically sent within three working days after the interview.
—–
Cancellation policy
As an independent, non-profit project without regular public funding, we strive to offer the lowest possible price. The project relies on the commitment of all participants, which is why, in case of cancellation on your side, the amount paid is non-refundable, with the only exception being circumstances of force majeure, such as closed borders, a pandemic, war, or natural disasters preventing your travel. If the event is canceled for any reason, the entire amount paid will be refunded without reservations.
We are looking forward to dancing and connecting with you.
Σε ποιες ηλικιακές ομάδες απευθύνεται το πρόγραμμα;
Το Unplugged Dance απευθύνεται σε ενήλικες κάθε ηλικίας. Εφόσον κάποιος θέλει να συμμετάσχει σε μια πρακτική συνκίνησης και να γίνει μέλος μιας κοινότητας είναι περισσότερο από ευπρόσδεκτος να συμμετάσχει στο πρόγραμμα.
Σε ποια γλώσσα διδάσκονται τα εργαστήρια;
Όλα τα εργαστήρια στο πρόγραμμα διδάσκονται στα Αγγλικά.
Πώς θα φτάσω στο Νεοχώρι;
Πληροφορίες για το πως μπορεί να ταξιδέψει κανείς μέχρι το Νεοχώρι Λευκάδας μπορείτε να βρείτε εδώ
Ποια είναι η πολιτική ακύρωσης του προγράμματος σας;
Ως ανεξάρτητο, μη κερδοσκοπικό εγχείρημα χωρίς σταθερή δημόσια χρηματοδότηση, επιδιώκουμε να προσφέρουμε το χαμηλότερο δυνατό κόστος συμμετοχής στο πρόγραμμα. Το εγχείρημα βασίζεται στη δέσμευση όλων των συμμετεχόντων, γι’ αυτό, σε περίπτωση ακύρωσης από την πλευρά σας, το ποσό που έχει καταβληθεί δεν επιστρέφεται, με μόνη εξαίρεση περιπτώσεις ανωτέρας βίας, όπως κλειστά σύνορα, πανδημία, πόλεμος ή φυσικές καταστροφές που εμποδίζουν το ταξίδι σας. Εάν το πρόγραμμα ακυρωθεί για οποιονδήποτε λόγο, το συνολικό ποσό που έχει καταβληθεί θα επιστραφεί χωρίς επιφυλάξεις.
Μη διστάσετε να μοιραστείτε όποια άλλη απορία έχετε!
Από την προσωπική πρακτική στην εκπαιδευτική και δημιουργική μέθοδο
Το Unplugged Dance είναι ένα πρωτοποριακό διεθνές εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα για τον σύγχρονο χορό που συμβαίνει για τέταρτη χρονιά στην Λευκάδα. Εφτά εβδομάδες εργαστηρίων, σεμιναρίων, μαθημάτων αλλά και ελεύθερου χρόνου για ξεκούραση, προσωπική έρευνα και συλλογική ζύμωση μεταξύ δεκαοχτώ συμμετεχόντων επαγγελματιών και μη του χορού.
Αυτό που κάνει το Unplugged να ξεχωρίζει είναι μια σπάνια αφοσίωση στη βιωματική προσέγγιση του χορού. Μέσα από μια συνεχή αναζήτηση καλλιτεχνών και εκπαιδευτικών από όλο τον κόσμο, που φέρουν ένα γνήσιο ενδιαφέρον για τους τρόπους με τους οποίους το σώμα και ο νους συναντιούνται στην χορευτική πράξη, έχει δημιουργηθεί ένας πυρήνας ανθρώπων, η δουλειά των οποίων εξελίσσεται παράλληλα με το πρόγραμμα. Κάθε χρόνο το Unplugged μεταλλάσσεται σε μορφή, αναζητώντας την ιδανική συνταγή για ένα γόνιμο έδαφος που συστήνει σε όλα μας τον χορό ως ζωντανό και αναπόσπαστο μέρος της κοινωνίας στο σήμερα.
Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις ελλείψεις που παρουσιάζονται στην τυπική επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση του χορού, ειδικά όσον αφορά τη συγκεκριμένη καλλιτεχνική και παιδαγωγική προσέγγιση, καθώς και τις λίγες δυνατότητες μετεκπαίδευσης ή μεταπτυχιακών σπουδών που αφορούν τον χορό στην Ελλάδα, προσφέρουμε φέτος τη δυνατότητα σε μια ομάδα νέων επαγγελματιών των παραστατικών τεχνών από την Ελλάδα να παρακολουθήσουν όλο το πρόγραμμα Unplugged Dance εντελώς δωρεάν ως μετεκπαίδευση.
Με τον διακριτικό τίτλο «Από την προσωπική πρακτική στην εκπαιδευτική και δημιουργική μέθοδο» παράλληλα με τον βιωματικό χαρακτήρα του προγράμματος θέλουμε να στηρίξουμε άτομα που επιδιώκουν να διαμορφώσουν δικές τους προσεγγίσεις ή μεθόδους με τη στήριξη μιας ομάδας αντίστοιχου ενδιαφέροντος και ενός ευέλικτου προγράμματος mentoring.
Για να ενθαρρύνουμε αυτή τη διαδικασία, μειώσαμε τον αριθμό των συμμετεχόντων, αυξήσαμε τη διάρκεια του προγράμματος και για πρώτη φορά προσφέρουμε πλήρεις υποτροφίες με την υποστήριξη του Υπουργείου Πολιτισμού αποκλειστικά για την εγχώρια χορευτική και θεατρική κοινότητα.
Οι υποτροφίες είναι διαθέσιμες για έως 7 άτομα, αποφοίτους επαγγελματικών σχολών παραστατικών τεχνών έως 33 ετών, και καλύπτουν:
- Συμμετοχή στο πλήρες πρόγραμμα του Unplugged Dance
- Διαμονή
- Διατροφή (3 γεύματα ημερησίως)
- Ένα μέρος των ταξιδιωτικών εξόδων.
Οι συμμετέχοντες θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα:
- Να διευρύνουν τις γνώσεις τους πάνω στις σύγχρονες προσεγγίσεις του χορού.
- Να συνομιλήσουν με αναγνωρισμένους καλλιτέχνες από το σύγχρονο διεθνές πεδίο.
- Να αποκτήσουν εργαλεία για το πώς να αναπτύξουν και να συστηματοποιήσουν τις δικές τους δημιουργικές και εκπαιδευτικές διαδικασίες.
Καθώς ο στόχος του προγράμματος είναι πρωτίστως η βιωματική εμπειρία και η προσωπική ανάπτυξη των συμμετεχόντων, τα άτομα αυτά θα επιλεγούν με βάση το ενδιαφέρον τους σε αντίστοιχες προσεγγίσεις μέσα από την προσωπική τους διαδρομή, έρευνα και εκπαίδευση.
Πιστεύουμε ότι το πρόγραμμα αυτό μπορεί να προσφέρει μια ουσιαστική εναλλακτική πρόταση για άτομα τα οποία έχουν αποφοιτήσει πρόσφατα από επαγγελματικές σχολές χορού ή θεάτρου και αναζητούν τρόπο να εμβαθύνουν τις αναζητήσεις τους και να αποκτήσουν πρόσβαση στο δικό τους γνωστικό και καλλιτεχνικό κεφάλαιο.
- Πότε: 11 Μαΐου – 29 Ιουνίου, 2025
- Που: Paleohori art-space, Νεοχώρι Λευκάδας
Το πρόγραμμα διεξάγεται στα αγγλικά.
Υποβολή Αίτησης
Για να στείλετε την αίτησή σας, παρακαλούμε συμπληρώστε την παρακάτω φόρμα συμμετοχής.
Θα χρειαστείτε:
- Ένα βίντεο έως 5’ που να παρουσιάζει τον εαυτό σας και το κίνητρό σας να συμμετέχετε.
- Ένα Google Drive link με portfolio σε PDF και ό,τι άλλα αρχεία θέλετε να συμπεριλάβετε (προαιρετικό).
Επικοινωνία
Για οποιαδήποτε απορία, παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε μαζί μας στέλνοντας email στο unpluggeddance@gmail.com.
Το μετεκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα “Από την προσωπική πρακτική στην εκπαιδευτική και δημιουργική μέθοδο” επιχορηγείται από το πρόγραμμα Δημιουργική Ελλάδα του Υπουργείου Πολιτισμού για την περίοδο 2024-2025.
Open Call for Participants: Unplugged Dance 2025
When: 11 May – 29 June 2025
Where: Paleochori Art-Space, Neochori, Lefkada, Ionian Islands, Greece
Deadline for applications: First application period is open until November 30, 2024, with a discounted price for up to 4 early applicants.
How to apply: Apply by submitting the following google form https://forms.gle/Uw2uzAnJsmuaoHdj6
We are thrilled to announce the 4th edition of Unplugged Dance, a 7-week residential dance education program designed to encourage deep personal and collective learning in the fields of dance and somatic practices. Running from May to June 2025, this program offers participants the opportunity to engage in a holistic exploration of dance through contemporary methods that promote agency while cultivating an environment of collective care.
Our approach derives from a desire to experience dance in concepts and ways that don’t restrict themselves in movement aesthetics or technics, but neither condemns them. Instead further explores dance as a powerful mechanism for reaching the world within and the world around us. A time nurturing program for self and collective awareness that encourages participants to take responsibility for their own learning, make decisions, and shape their personal practice.
By creating a space where every participant feels seen, heard, and valued, we cultivate an environment that promotes mutual respect and encourages individuals to grow in a collective spirit. Through a balance of personal practice and collective inquiry, participants will have the space to deepen their own processes or even systematize their work in relation to movement and the art of dance.
What to expect
Unplugged Dance 2025 offers a blend of structured and organic learning through:
⫸ Experiential Workshops: Led by international facilitators, these sessions explore the relationship between body awareness and creative expression through dance improvisation, experiential anatomy, theory and critical thinking. Their orientation is dance experience as a field of observation, experimentation and creativity. Their methods are drawing from student-centered teaching methodologies and employing teaching tools such as: verbal guided improvisation through visualization and somatic imagery; scores; kinesthetic instructions; sensorial explorations; hands-on practices; playful explorations through props; drawing and vocal activation for body awareness. Also: shared feedback in a non-judgmental environment; individual reflective processes like journaling, automatic writing, or sensory mapping aimed at feeding back into and dialoguing with the dance practice, and more.
⫸ Seminars and open discussions: Specialized seminars on theory, somatics, anatomy, dramaturgy, performance and more. Open questions on the philosophical, political and socio-cultural relevance, such as;
⋗How can we create Dance through the prism of embodiment?
⋗Why choose this approach to dance?
⋗How can a dance method encourage agency, empowerment, and creative expression?
⋗How does this approach shift the relationship with an audience?
⋗How can practices of embodiment influence the socio political aspect of dance?
⋗What kind of work ethics do we want to cultivate in the dance professional field?
⋗How agency and collective care work together to create a space that is not only about personal growth but also about building stronger, more connected communities through dance? and many more.
⋗What is the significance of method, methodology, practice, research, and pedagogy in dance?
⋗How can I systematize my personal practice to share it with others?
… and more
⫸ Early morning soft awakening practices: Facilitated sessions for gentle awakening of the body and conditioning, such as Yoga, Pilates, breathwork, conscious movement practices, etc.
⫸ Personal and Collective Integration Time: Opportunities to reflect, connect, and grow through heart circles, feedback sessions and group sharings. 50h of scheduled time for self-practice and research alone-together on the platform.
⫸ Mentoring: Three 3h scheduled mentoring sessions with any of the program’s teachers.
⫸ Shared living space:
One of the aspects that makes this program so unique is the way we share time and space. The location and geography of Paleochori that hosts the program, encourages communal exchange and collaboration. There are shared responsibilities for maintenance of the space, shared cozy accommodation & meals.
Who Is It For?
This year’s program is seeking individuals who are ready to commit to a deeper learning and research process. It is open to both professionals and non-professionals with an interest in dance, movement, and somatic practices. Specifically, it is an ideal opportunity for:
⫸ Professionals in Performance, Dance, or Visual Arts: Individuals with years of experience who are interested in informing their personal practices with experiential anatomy, body awareness, and self-regulation tools and exploring their work through the lens of embodiment, with a focus on qualities such as self-reflection, observation, non-goal orientation, and care.
⫸ Recent Graduates: Artists who have recently completed a formal education and are seeking a nourishing, empowering community to reveal their inner core and systematize their own personal practices into educational or creative methods, while meeting, connecting, exploring and sharing into a vibrant, non-institutional community.
⫸ Dance Therapists & Somatics Practitioners: Individuals who wish to expand their practices into a creative process informed by contemporary artistic methods and creative tools.
⫸ Critical Thinkers: Those looking to engage in meaningful discussions on methodology, pedagogy, dance dramaturgy through the prism of embodiment and the socio-political dimensions of dance.
Program Structure
land week one ⋗ 12 – 16 May
A week to land, meet each other, set a common ground.
Kyveli and Yorgos are facilitating this week and holding the space for participants to explore and get familiarized with the land, the program’s aspects and each other’s needs.
(un)learn – question – absorb – practice -explore week two – six ⋗ 19 May – 13 June
These four weeks will accommodate the main educational part of this program. Each week will host a different 3h workshop facilitated by different teachers, Monday-Friday, and specialized seminars. Integration time and personal practice time will be available alone-together on the platform, and/or outside of it.
embody week six-seven ⋗ 16 – 27 June
The two last weeks of the program will be more flexible, and less facilitated. Participants will have the opportunity to take time to integrate all the information, and let it reveal through creating, sharing or just by being.
◘
Daily schedule
*small changes may be applied until the start of the program
07∘00-08∘30 soft awakening practice
09∘00-09∘40 breakfast
10∘30-12∘00 seminar | integration time | personal practice
12∘00-13∘30 integration time | personal practice
14∘00-14∘40 lunch
17∘00-20∘00 workshop
20∘00-20∘30 heart circle
20∘30-21∘10 light dinner
◘
More things that you may want to know before applying
⫸ Arrival is on Sunday 11 May, departure is on Sunday 29 June. These dates are the same for everyone, and we cannot accept later arrivals nor earlier departures.
⫸ Weekends are free days for personal or communal time to integrate and recharge for next week. Only breakfast and dinner are included.
⫸ Workshops and teachers’ names will be announced during December. Every week will have different workshops and teachers.
⫸ For us, dance and life are not two separate things. They share a poetic coexistence and a very practical approach. Everyone in this program will share one hour of communal maintenance work in the space daily, like hand-watering plants, compost and communal space care. These communal work activities not only help maintain common spaces, but also deepen participants’ engagement with the environment and each other. By incorporating them into our daily rhythm, we share a sense of responsibility while nourishing creativity and sustainability.
What we offer
- 270h of classes | seminars | workshops – workshops and teachers names will be announced during December
- 9h of 1:1 mentoring sessions (3 sessions in total) with any of the program’s teachers.
- 50h of scheduled time for self-practice and research
- 3 vegetarian meals per day
- Shared canvas bell tents of three or two people
Tuition scale
- 2600 euros if you apply by the 30th of November *4 spots only*
- 3000 euros if you apply by the 10th of January
- 3900 euros *regular price* if you apply by the 31st of March
How to apply
⋗ First application period is open until November 30, 2024, with a discounted price for up to 4 early applicants. ⋖
Apply by submitting the following google form https://forms.gle/Uw2uzAnJsmuaoHdj6
⊡
A total of 12-18 participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are reviewed monthly until all spots are filled.
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in an interview.
Notification of acceptance is usually sent within five working days after the interview.
Registration
In case of selection, there is a 5-day window from the date you receive your notification of acceptance to complete your registration by paying a non-refundable deposit.
50% deposit is needed if you have applied by november 30, 2024
35% deposit is needed if you have applied by march 31, 2025
Cancellation policy
In case of cancellation on your side, the deposit is non-refundable, with the only exception being circumstances such as closed borders, pandemic, or war preventing your travel. If the event is canceled for any reason, the entire deposit amount will be refunded without reservations.
We are looking forward to dancing and connecting with you.
There are no upcoming events at this time