No Boxes: Just Verses

Chloé & Maud Arnold on DC Roots, Columbia University, Founding Syncopated Ladies, Emmy-Nominated Tap Choreography, the Beyoncé Effect, and Leading the Next Generation Through Philanthropy

Listen Later

Do you worry that pursuing a passion like the arts can't lead to stable, global success? Do you need inspiration to keep grinding through the long years of unemployed fun? In this highly Inspirational episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we go beyond the bios, beyond the titles with Chloé and Maud Arnold, powerhouse sister duo and founders of the viral Syncopated Ladies tap dance troupe. Learn their strategies for artistic entrepreneurship, leveraging education as a tool for access, and maintaining joy throughout the hard work.

Chloé and Maud Arnold are an internationally recognized tap dancing, choreographing, and producing duo, both graduates of Columbia University. They co-founded the viral female tap dance band, Syncopated Ladies. Chloé is an Emmy-nominated choreographer whose work has been featured in major productions like Netflix's Unfrosted and The Late Show with James Corden. Maud's choreography has been featured in films like Hulu's hit Theater Camp and A24's Y2K. The sisters have been praised by figures like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Shonda Rhimes, and have been recognized by the US House of Representatives and the Kennedy Center for their work as ambassadors for the art form.

Key Takeaways:

  • Their career path was defined by mentorship, specifically Debbie Allen, who pushed Chloé to move to LA and gave them space to create, proving that great leaders often see your potential before you do.
  • Despite being immersed in the arts, both sisters attended Columbia University. They reveal how the prestige and the need for housing and structure made college a crucial strategic access point for success in New York.
  • They detail the seven years it took between meeting Beyoncé and investing in their first viral video. Their secret to perseverance: Maintaining joy and a positive attitude, even while street performing and working multiple side jobs.
  • They explain why their viral success—especially the "Formation" and "When Doves Cry" videos—came from being completely authentic to their art and their shared emotions (like collective mourning for Prince).
  • The sisters share their technique for dealing with negativity: Instead of engaging with "hater aid," reframe the energy into power, focus on doing the work, and use that critical energy to fuel new art.

Chloé and Maud's journey reminds us that if you keep grinding with purpose, the break you've been working toward is destined to find you. Never lose the joy in your work!

CONNECT WITH Chloé and Maud:

Maude Instagram

Foundation Instagram

Chloé Instagram

Chloé and Maud Instagram

DC Tap Fest

Hollywood Tap Fest

Foundation Website

Syncopated Ladies

Playlist

CONNECT WITH SHANNON:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn Shannon | LinkedIn NBJV

Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store
No Boxes: Just VersesBy Shannon Nash