Black History Month: The dance superstar amplifying tap worldwide
February marks Black History Month, a tradition that was officially recognised in 1976 paying tribute to the African Americans who struggled with adversity.
It began as a way of honouring significant people and events in the history of the African diaspora and praises the sacrifices they made.
To commemorate the month, we’re taking the time to honour Chloe Arnold - an iconic African American dancer who has achieved several Guinness World Records titles.
Chloe Arnold: International tap superstar
Washington D.C. native Chloe is a successful tapper and choreographer known for her impact on the industry and her tap dance related record titles:
- Most tap dance pullbacks in one minute – 113
- Most tap dance wings in one minute – 123
- Most views for a tap dance video on Facebook -12M
Chloe began dancing as a child. At just 10 years old, she met choreographer Savion Glover, who auditioned her and later accepted Chloe into his resident program for the National Tap Ensemble.
This introduced her to the dance industry, dancing professionally for almost a decade before attending Columbia University’s film school.
In 1999, she met director and choreographer Debbie Allen, who allowed her to shadow her as a director and later become her protégé.
“My mom loved to dance and wanted to expose us to the arts,” said Chloe.
“I started in a dance combo class. Tap, ballet, and jazz. Then my mom recognised that I had an affinity for Tap.”
Chloe, who has a dance studio at home, says she finds herself in her tap shoes almost every day and can dance up to eight hours a day when in full blown production mode.
“When I’m dancing, I always try to hone in on my purpose,” she said.
“It helps you breathe and focus on what matters.”
Now calling Los Angeles and New York City home, Chloe has choreographed on TV shows such as The Late Late Show with James Corden (which earned her her first Emmy nomination in 2018), So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, The Ellen Show, The Talk, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and more.
She also choregraphed the movie Spirited, featuring Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer.
Chloe recently set the Guinness World Records titles for most tap dance pullbacks in one minute (113) and the most tap dance wings in one minute (123).
“Pullbacks are a kid’s favourite step,” said Chloe.
“It takes so much practice to get it right because it feels like magic when you are able to make a sound on the way up in a jump.“
Chloe also enjoys wings, which she says are one of her favourite power moves.
“Wings, I will never forget, the first time I was taught wings I was about 11 and I worked on it for about 3-4 hours straight on a bar,” said Chloe.
“I was so determined to be able to do even one correctly.”
Aside from dancing nearly every day, Chloe is also the founder and member of the all-female tap group Syncopated Ladies, who are known for their dance tours and viral videos.
The group’s video, “Syncopated Ladies – Salute a Legend,” where they pay tribute to the singer Prince by tap dancing acapella to his song “When Doves Cry,” has set the Guinness World Records title for most views for a tap dance video on Facebook, which has been viewed 12 million times since it was posted in 2016.
Chloe was even asked to perform her Tap formation video to launch Beyonce’s Ivy Park!
Additionally, Chloe and her sister Maud Arnold, also a tap dancer, co-founded a successful production company: Chloe and Maud Productions.
Not only have they created the yearly DC Tap Festival and co-produced a documentary, but their company provides equal access and opportunity to dance education in underserved communities as well.
Chloe is proud of her record titles and says she hopes they will inspire dancers to practise and create their own work without fear of sharing it with the world.
She also thanks her family, who she credits for being supportive of her dreams.
“They believed when there were no opportunities and the idea of being a tap dancer was a bleak career outlook,” said Chloe.
“Now all of the hard work is paying off, and I’ve been able to not just fulfil my dreams but create work and opportunities for others to do the same!”
Despite her notable record titles, there are many other ways dance has impacted Chloe’s life.
“Dance has provided me with a beautiful way to fulfil my purpose in life,” she said.
“It’s a language, it’s a tool, to unify, uplift, bring joy, and create community.”
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