Caroline Rocher Barnes

Caroline Rocher Barnes

Caroline Rocher Barnes trained at the Conseravtoire de Montpellier in France, the Rudra Béjart Art School in Switzerland and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York. In 1999, Mrs. Rocher Barnes joined the Dance Theater of Harlem under Arthur Mitchell’s mentorship, was promoted to soloist in 2000, and then principal dancer the following year. Her professional career extends to the Bavarian State Ballet in Germany, the Lyon Opera Ballet in France and Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet in San Franscisco. In 2001 Mrs. Rocher Barnes was named “25 to watch” in “Dance Magazine.” She has taught at several dance institutions nationwide, and abroad, and is part of the Alonzo King Lines Summer Program faculty. 

Mrs. Rocher Barnes is a member of the Kennedy Center Dance Council that advises on the content of the ballet series offerings and serves as ambassador for the center’s dance programs to young performers, schools and the local community. Mrs. Rocher Barnes holds a certification in the Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® expansion systems and the Progressing Ballet Technique®. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher who has completed the ABT® Teacher training intensive in pre-primary through level five.

Mrs. Rocher Barnes graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College of California with a B.A. in performing arts. She holds an MFA in dance from the University of Maryland, College Park.