DUET LAB: From Practice to Performance 2027
By Laisvie Ochoa and Raul Saldarriaga
DESCRIPTION
A guided creation process for dancers interested in developing a duet from the ground up.
This 3-month trajectory supports participants in creating a duet through a structured journey, from embodied listening and tools to experimentation, composition, and final performance. The duos will explore how to build trust, communicate through movement, and develop a shared artistic language.
The program draws from practices such as Contact Improvisation, contemporary partnering, and partner acrobatics, combined with tools for instant composition and choreographic development. Along the way, participants receive coaching and feedback to support both their technical and creative processes.
The trajectory culminates in the creation and presentation of an original duet of max 10 mins at the Amsterdam Theatre House.
The best is to register with a partner, but if you don’t have one, we can help you with connecting you with other people interested. You can let us know on the application form.
GENERAL INFO
o professionals and amateurs with a good level ;)
DATES: from March 7th to May 23th 2027 (No sessions on the 28th of March and 16th of May)
SUNDAYS: 14:00 - 18:00h
PLACE: Vredenburgh studio - Vredenburgersteeg 31-35, 1012 DZ Amsterdam
PERFORMANCE: Sunday, May 30 at Amsterdam Theatre House (open to the public)
PRICES (per person and inclusive of BTW):
Regular-supportive: €424
Early bird: €351 (Before 12th of February 2027)
You can pay in 2 instalments, the first one at subscription and the second one on the first day of the LAB.
LAISVIE OCHOA
I am a Colombian–Lithuanian choreographer, dancer, and teacher, and the Director of ConCuerpos, an inclusive dance company with a dual presence in Colombia and the Netherlands. My work brings together dancers with and without disabilities through artistic creation, education, and research. I originally trained in Psychology and Multimedia Creation in Colombia, and later completed a Master in Choreography and the Embodied Life Art Program in the Netherlands. I have been in love with dance, contact improvisation, partnering, release, circus, and yoga for over twenty years, and continue to deepen this long-standing relationship with movement.
RAÚL SALDARRIAGA
I am an artistic researcher, performer, and choreographer, based in Amsterdam, where I lead the movement collective “Casagrafia.” I hold a BA in Art Pedagogy, a BA in Contemporary Dance, an MA in Interactive Media and Choreography, and an MA in Choreography and Community (COMA). For more than 20 years, I have been teaching, creating, and supporting artistic and creative projects in Colombia and across Europe. My work focuses on contemporary dance, partnering dance, improvisation, and Contact Improvisation, exploring movement as a space for creativity, playfulness, communication, and human connection.
The program is structured in four blocks
(11 sessions in total + 1 performance day)
BLOCK 1 - LISTENING & CARE
Getting to know each other through movement, with a focus on listening, consent, trust, and collaborative practices.
BLOCK 2 - TOOLS & EXPERIMENTATION
Exploring Contact Improvisation, partnering, acrobatics, and contemporary dance to build movement vocabulary and duet material.
BLOCK 3 - COMPOSITION & CONCEPT
Develop your artistic concept through instant composition scores, choreographic research and somatic observation and reflection.
BLOCK 4 - CREATION & CRYSTALLIZATION
Shaping and rehearsing your original duet with coaching support, leading to the final performance presentation.
QUESTIONS: If you have any doubts, you can contact us via email: laisvieochoa@gmail.com, mahoraul@gmail.com
BIO TEACHERS
Apply
Step 1: Fill in the application form to tell us briefly about yourself, your motivation and whether you already have a partner or not.
Step 2: We’ll be reviewing the applications to find a group with a suitable range of experience, interests, and commitment to the journey. You’ll hear from us as soon as possible with an update on your application. If needed, we will put you in contact with other people interested in finding a partner. If we can offer you a place, we’ll send you the payment link and details to confirm your participation.
Step 3: Once your payment is received, your subscription is finalised, and your spot is officially secured.
Refund Policy: Payments are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, you can transfer your spot to another person until the 20th of February. Please contact us in advance so we can let you know if there are people on the waiting list or if you need to find the new person directly.
