Emmy-nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold has created the fiercest female tap band in history: Syncopated Ladies. 

You’ve heard about them from Beyoncé. You’ve seen them on Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance, at New York Fashion Week, and online where they have racked up more than 100 million views. 

Now, you have the chance to see them live in Fort Wayne. 

Fort Wayne Dance Collective, in collaboration with Embassy Theatre, is thrilled to bring the iconic Syncopated Ladies all the way from Los Angeles as part of FWDC’s annual guest artist residency program. 

While they are here, Syncopated Ladies will teach two tap master classes on March 7 before giving what’s sure to be a jaw-dropping performance on March 8. 

Modernizing tap 

There are many reasons Syncopated Ladies stand apart from the rest of the tap dance crowd. 

“Part of the reason they use the word ‘band’ to describe themselves is because they are creating their own rhythms through their movements,” FWDC Artistic Director Mandie Kolkman said. “There is an emphasis on the sounds being created and the syncopated rhythm.”

The focus on this type of rhythm, Kolkman said, has allowed them to revolutionize and modernize tap dance by performing it to modern music, which separates them from classical tap forms. 

Tap dance, in general, originated in the United States, but has its roots in West African step dance and Scottish and Irish jigs. The ladies take this classic art form and bring it into the current day with their innovative choreography. 

Arts Activism

Syncopated Ladies are not only using their platform to revolutionize tap dance, but also to participate in arts activism. 

In a HuffPost article, the group’s founder and choreographer, Arnold, said part of their mission is “To unite, uplift, and inspire people to follow their dreams.”

This mission is one of the many reasons FWDC wanted Syncopated Ladies to be their 2023 guest artists. 

“The mission of Syncopated Ladies really resonates with us a FWDC and the mission that we have,” Kolkman said. “We are just so in awe of the work they’re doing around the world.”

Things fall into place

A fortunate series of events allowed FWDC and the Embassy to bring this powerhouse group to Fort Wayne. 

“The Syncopated Ladies were already going to be in the Midwest around this time for other performances,” Kolkman said. “The Embassy asked if we had heard of this group, and of course our answer was ‘Yes!’ ”

From there, the idea quickly became a reality as FWDC engaged in conversations with Syncopated Ladies about becoming this year’s guest artist in residence. The end result was an agreement for them to perform at the Embassy and participate in teaching outreach with the Collective. 

Audiences can expect to see the Ladies tapping to songs they know, including music from Whitney Houston and Adele. The Ladies will also perform an entire tribute to the late, great artist Prince, as well as their choreography to Beyoncé’s song “Formation.” 

Their performance of their “Formation” choreography is significant because it is part of what propelled them to fame after Beyoncé found a video of it and promoted it on social media, garnering millions of hits. 

A Place for Everyone

In addition to the performance the Ladies will give, they will be teaching two tap dance master classes: a beginner level master class and an advanced level master class. 

The beginner level class is truly for beginners; no dance experience is required. Participants do not even need tap shoes for this tap class, though sneakers are recommended. 

“At FWDC, we really like to meet our students where they are,” Kolkman said. “We believe everyone should have access to the arts.”

According to FWDC’s website, during this class, students will “learn technique, improvisation, and choreography.” 

While they are here, Syncopated Ladies will also be working with FWDC at Fort Wayne Community Schools. 

“We will be providing programming at South Side High School for K-12 students that will include a lecture and demonstration from Syncopated Ladies,” Kolkman said, adding it is important to FWDC that the students in the community are exposed to all kinds of dance. 

She feels exceptionally fortunate to be able to have the Syncopated Ladies coming into the schools with FWDC. 

Raising the bar

This performance will be setting the bar high, but Kolkman perceives not even the sky to be the limit for the potential of FWDC’s guest artist residency program. 

“One of the things that we really want moving forward is to present multiple FWDC shows with the Embassy each year,” she said. “We have assembled an artist advisory panel with some of the most renowned local dancers and local stakeholders to work collaboratively to make decisions around workshops, residencies, and other artistic endeavors.” 

In the meantime, audiences will want to make sure they do not miss the Ladies. 

“This is going to be one of the first all-tap shows that has come to Fort Wayne in a long time,” Kolkman said. “It will be a truly unique experience for the community.”