staff & production
Artistic & Executive Director
Caroline Calouche
Caroline Calouche began dancing in the small North Carolina town of Gastonia right outside Charlotte and then branched out to Texas Christian University for two BFA degrees in Ballet and Modern Dance. From there she studied, performed and taught in Rome, Brussels and Austria where she completed a postgraduate program in choreography at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance.
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Finally home sick, Caroline returned to Charlotte and founded Caroline Calouche & Co. in 2006. She is known for blending a variety of dance and circus arts disciplines in her choreography. She has created over 70 choreographic works for the professional stage. Notable works are 'Carmina Burana', 'Lingua', 'Stargazer' and 'Clara's Trip'.
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Many people have inspired her along the way in the dance and circus field. Some influential teachers are Li-Chou Cheng, Elizabeth Gillaspy, Mary Cochran, Susan Douglas Roberts, Kerry Kreiman, Susan Quinn, Joao da Silva, Andrew Harwood, Libby Farr, Keren Levi, Elsie and Serenity Smith, Molly Graves, Susan Murphy, Nancy Smith, Nicole Merman, Christine van Loo, Aimee Hancock, Amanda Lynch, Rodleigh Stevens and Tanya Burka.
Elaya Walker (She/Her) Elaya Walker is a multidisciplinary leader with a BBA in Management and over a decade of experience in nonprofit programming, event production, and purpose-driven coaching. As a certified life coach and founder of Walker Creative Group, she has designed and facilitated transformative workshops, retreats, and community-based initiatives focused on self-awareness, wellness, and social impact. Elaya is also the creator of Thrive Within: A Journal for Radical Self-Awareness and Purposeful Living and brings a strong background in operations, partnership development, and mission-aligned strategy. She is passionate about creating spaces where movement, mindfulness, and community intersect.
Stage Manager
Valerie Wheeler
Valerie Wheeler (She/Her) has served as a Production Stage Manager at opera companies and festivals across the US, including New York City Opera, Portland Opera, Opera Carolina, Toledo Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Wichita Grand Opera, Wolf Trap Opera Company, Opera Cleveland, University of Southern California/Thornton Opera, Opera Santa Barbara and Chautauqua Opera. With over 25 years of experience in the field, among her additional roles and credits, she served as Production Manager for the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival from 2010-2017.
Elaya Walker
General Manager
Hanna Atkinson (She/Her) is excited to join Caroline Calouche & Co. and the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center as production manager. She has previously worked with Caroline Calouche & Co. as the calling stage manager for its 2023 production of Clara’s Trip and is looking forward to joining the company for its full 2024-2025 season. Hanna is a Charlotte native and attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she received degrees in Theater Design & Technical Production and Business Administration. Trained as a stage manager & theater electrician, she has worked with a variety of theater, dance, and opera companies across the country. Most recently she has worked with Toledo Opera, Opera Carolina, and the Chautauqua Opera Company & Conservatory.
When not backstage, you can find her spending time outdoors or with her nose in a good book!
Production Manager