Caroline Rocher – MOBBallet.org

Caroline Rocher Barnes

Dance Theatre of Harlem: Corps de Ballet (1999-2000), Soloist (2000-2001), Principal (2001-ca. 2005)
Bavarian State Ballet (ca.2005-ca.2006)
Lyon Opera Ballet (2006-2007)
Alonzo King LINES (2007-2014)

Ballet Barre with Caroline Rocher, former Dance Theatre of Harlem Principal – Dancing Alone Together — Photo by RJ Muna for Alonzo King LINES Ballet.

Caroline Rocher was born in Saint-Etienne and trained at the Conservatoire de Montpellier (Montpellier, France), Rudra Béjart Art School (Lausanne, Switzerland), and The Ailey School (New York, NY). After graduating from The Rudra School, she joined Paris’ Crazy Horse cabaret.

In 1999 (only a year after she moved to the US), Rocher joined Dance Theatre of Harlem at age 21. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a soloist in 2000 and principal in 2001. That year, Dance Magazine named her one of “25 to Watch.”

Her performance career continued with the Bavarian State Ballet (Munich, Germany); Lyon Opera Ballet (Lyon, France); and Alonzo King LINES Ballet (San Francisco, CA). She has also participated in galas such as the Career Transition For Dancers Gala (New York, NY) and Le Gala des Etoiles du 21ème siècle (Paris, France).

Rocher retired from performing in July 2014 and has worked as a dance instructor for over a decade. As a part of The LEAP-South Africa Project, she taught in public schools and at the CAPA Art School in Cape Town. She has also taught at The School of Washington Ballet, the Citydance Conservatory, George Mason University, Prince George’s Community College, and the LINES Ballet summer program. Rocher is a Gyrotonic instructor as well.
Rocher earned her BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California, graduating Summa Cum Laude.