VERVE GRADUATES PERFORM WITH ROSALíA AND BJöRK AT THE BRIT AWARDS

Alumni from NSCD’s world-class postgraduate dance company took to the international stage in a show-stopping performance alongside global stars Rosalía and Björk.

Last Saturday night at the BRIT Awards 2026, Rosalía delivered an iconic performance with Björk, and 28 dancers who graduated from VERVE – the postgraduate touring company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD).

The dancers who all studied at NSCD between 2021 to 2025 executed eclectic and demanding choreography as the Spanish singer delivered a striking and drama filled rendition of her track ‘Berghain’, which exploded into a techno dance party conceptualised by Marseille-based collective (LA)HORDE.

(LA)HORDE’s casting of VERVE graduates was no accident. In 2023, the movement collective choreographed for VERVE’s 2023 international tour and were so impressed with the calibre and professionalism of the dancers, that they knew they had to work with them again.

The BRIT Awards performance was a choral, physical piece, balancing classical rigour with the freedom of the dance floor - emblematic of (LA)HORDE’s style - which the cast delivered seamlessly, drawing on their depth of training and professional stage experience honed through VERVE.

Matteo Marfoglia, Artistic Director of VERVE comments:

“I am delighted that VERVE was approached to take part in (LA)HORDE’s piece for Rosalía at the BRIT Awards, and I am honoured that VERVE’s collaboration with (LA)HORDE continues to flourish. It reflects our shared ethos of celebrating the heritage and traditions of dance while pushing creative boundaries and redefining what dance can be today.

This opportunity demonstrates how NSCD equips students with world-class technical training and real-world experience, providing a strong launchpad for thriving careers as professional dance artists.”

VERVE’s current company members are now gearing up for the start of their own international tour which commences at Riley Theatre in Leeds on Friday 6^th March.

For more information on VERVE tour dates and tickets, click here.