Course summary

VERVE is the postgraduate touring company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE) equips students with the performance skills required to succeed within the current landscape of the contemporary dance industry, enabling them to transition into the profession. Each year, the company commissions choreographers from all over the world to create an artistically distinct, physically daring and diverse programme of dance work. The course offers emerging dance artists the opportunity to challenge and develop their skills across varied repertoire and newly commissioned works, guided by teaching staff, alongside an exciting range of visiting artists. VERVE provides dancers with a safe and inspiring space to grow their individual artistry and rigorously challenge their physical skills. Dancers develop their identities as performers, whilst building an understanding of the professional working environment to support them in their future careers. The programme also gives students a thorough grounding in research practice and the ability to apply this learning in professional contexts. The company tours to venues and festivals across the UK and internationally. VERVE seeks connections with partner institutions, industry professionals, choreographers and companies, to broaden and enrich the students’ experience and understanding. Previously commissioned choreographers include: Lea Anderson, Jamaal Burkmar, Mari Carrasco, Joan Clevillé, Maxine Doyle, Ben Duke, Akram Khan, KOR’SIA, Anton Lachky, LA(HORDE), Hannes Langolf, Bosmat Nossan, Sita Ostheimer, Douglas Thorpe, Faye Tan, Ben Wright, Noa Zuk How will the course do this?

• Be part of a contemporary dance company – undertake physical practice every day to develop the technical and performance skills required to succeed in a professional dance company.

• Perform in an international tour – dance a distinct triple bill of new work in diverse theatre venues across the UK and the world to broaden and enrich your performance experience, and understanding of new places, cultures, and audiences.

• Learn from world-renowned choreographers – collaborate with 3 artists on newly commissioned works providing you with real-world professional insight into the global dance industry.

• Devise new dance works – develop and refine distinctive movement material to a professional level with the support of guest choreographers, to build your confidence in contributing to creative processes in a rehearsal space.

• Evolve as a dancer – discover new layers to your artistic expression while building endurance, discipline, and adaptability, enabling you to find new perspectives on movement and to become more authentic in your artistry.