NSCD student, Pierpaolo Cosentino, who recently graduated from the MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE) post-graduate programme will join Ballet National de Marseille co-directed by (LA)HORDE in August as a full-time member of the company.
Since 2013, (LA)HORDE brings together the artists Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer and Arthur Harel. This collective of choreographers and visual artists, who took on the direction of the Ballet National de Marseille in 2019, has always developed a collaborative project with several online communities that has given rise to several multidisciplinary and cross-community creations.
Through films and performances (Novaciéries, 2015; The Master’s Tools, 2017; Cultes, 2019 ; Ghosts, 2021), and choreographic pieces (Night Owl, 2016 ; To Da Bone, 2017; Marry Me in Bassiani, 2019; Room With A View, 2020), (LA)HORDE interrogates the political component of dance and maps diverse choreographic forms of popular uprising, transitioning from raves to traditional dances, as well as jumpstyle.
Pierpaolo first collaborated with LA(HORDE) when VERVE invited them to rework their piece People used to die - one of three works performed during VERVE's international tour earlier this year.
People used to die is a rework of the original choreographic piece Avant les gens mouraient originally created in 2014 for l’École de Danse Contemporaine de Montréal (EDCM). The performance is developed around the Mainstream Hardcore movement, reinterpreting the gestures of Hard Jump, Hakken (gabber scene) and Jumpstyle.
The MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE) post-graduate programme 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 skill. Dancers develop their identities as performers, whilst building an understanding of the professional working environment to support them in their future careers.
VERVE comprises sixteen dancers, trained at some of the world’s leading conservatoires. Each year the company commissions choreographers from all over the world to create an artistically distinct, physically daring and engaging programme of dance work which tours to venues across the UK and internationally.
Following VERVE’s international tour, Pierpaolo undertook a successful audition for an apprentice dancer position with LA(HORDE). He never actually took up this position as he was invited to work with them on an advertising commercial project and then be a part of their work performed at this summer’s Ete Marseilles 2004. After these experiences, Pierpaolo was asked if he would join the company as a full-time member of (LA)HORDE.
Pierpaolo said:
“I’m beyond thrilled to achieve my ambition of joining a professional dance company – it’s been my dream since I was five years old. LA(HORDE)’s superb breadth of work truly inspires and excites me and I’m looking forward to moving to Marseilles and getting started. I love the versatility of LA(HORDE)’s work; so many different forms of dance and expression with impact.”
Matteo Marfoglia, VERVE Artistic Director and Programme Lead commented:
“The VERVE programme at NSCD is designed to nurture and develop dancers to their fullest potential, and seeing our students succeed at such a high level is incredibly rewarding. VERVE has connections with partner institutions, industry professionals, choreographers and companies, to broaden and enrich the students’ experience and understanding.
We are delighted that Pierpaolo has secured employment with Ballet National de Marseille and we can’t wait to follow his journey. This achievement is also testament to the quality of our curriculum and the comprehensive platform that VERVE provides - we push boundaries and cultivate artistic growth.”
