About us

Happy Hour Chandelier was originally conceived by acclaimed choreographer Nanine Linning and world-renowned designer Marcel Wanders. Their shared vision brought together the elegance of dance with iconic design, creating a unique and immersive experience that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

At the heart of Happy Hour Chandelier today is Gysèle ter Berg, its driving force and Owner & CEO since 2018. Her involvement, however, goes back much further — since 2013, she has played an essential role in the production, contributing both creatively and operationally, and gaining an in-depth understanding of every facet of this enchanting act.

With a background in theatre studies and acting, Gysèle brings rich insight into the performing arts and a rare talent for merging artistic vision with production finesse. Earlier in her career, she worked for years as personal assistant to legendary composer Louis Andriessen, playing a key role in the daily operations of his internationally acclaimed practice. She also served for over a decade as hospitality and floor operations manager at Dutch Dance Days, often acting as crisis manager during high-pressure festival moments — further sharpening her leadership, adaptability, and organizational skills. As cofounder of the groundbreaking hip-hop dance company Backbone, she has consistently championed innovation and diversity in the performing arts.

As an experienced creative entrepreneur in theatre and dance, Gysèle is widely known for identifying exceptional talent and forging meaningful artistic collaborations. She is cofounder, managing director and artistic associate at dance company Kalpanarts, and business director of the Amsterdams Kleinkunst Festival, where her love of language and commitment to developing young artists come together.

Gysèle personally selects, coaches, and trains the dancers, ensuring that every performance is polished, compelling, and unforgettable. Having travelled with the dancers and the iconic chandelier across the globe, supporting each performance from behind the scenes, she brings unmatched glamour, depth, and passion to every production.

Since 2025, Kalpana Raghuraman has joined Happy Hour Chandelier as International Development Partner.

Kalpana is an acclaimed choreographer and creative force, known for her deep understanding of cross-cultural movement vocabularies and her sharp eye for artistic innovation. She currently also serves as Creative Associate at Dutch National Ballet — the first ever to be appointed from outside the traditional ballet world, underscoring her reputation as an innovator and bridge-builder.

For over a decade, Kalpana has worked closely with Gysèle ter Berg as artistic leader of the contemporary dance company Kalpanarts. Their longstanding collaboration is rooted in shared vision, mutual trust, and a deep commitment to artistic excellence — qualities that now find new expression within Happy Hour Chandelier. Having worked together for years as a tightly connected duo, their synergy and mutual understanding make for a promising and powerful alliance in this new context.

In her role at Happy Hour Chandelier, Kalpana focuses on Strategic Growth & International Expansion. She builds relationships with artist management and entertainment agencies, drawing on her broad international network and her experience as a certified coach. Her presence opens doors to new collaborations and opportunities, and she plays a key role in shaping the company’s global ambitions.

Kalpana is also a valued artistic sparring partner, contributing meaningfully to artistic innovation within HHC. Her input helps ensure that the evolving identity of Happy Hour Chandelier remains both distinctive and forward-looking.

Kalpana’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for Happy Hour Chandelier — one that brings renewed vision, expanded global reach, and unforgettable new experiences to audiences around the world. Together, Gysèle and Kalpana form a golden duo — a creative partnership full of promise for the future.