Roots Artist of the Month: Chloé Gray business owner, role model and dancer

Chloé Gray began dancing at the age of six. Now, she works to bring supportive, empowering dance instruction to others. 

Gray graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in dance production and women and gender studies. 

After graduating, Gray pursued a professional career in the dance industry. After a year of commitment in a demanding position, she decided it wasn’t the right path for her. 

“I was miserable; I had to drag myself out of bed in order to get to rehearsals," Gray said. "It was really hard for me because of the way I was treated as a dancer.”

After 17 consecutive years of dancing, Gray decided to take a yearlong break from professional dancing. At 23, during this break, she continued her part-time work in dance education. Through education, Gray learned what education and leadership can do for dancers.

“The break of dancing made me realize I do love dancing, I just do not enjoy being abused,” said Gray.

Gray opened Fun Girl Dance Company & School in 2018 as a way to continue her passion of dance, creating an environment built on compassion and empowerment. 

For the first two years, the studio operated inside Riverside Arts Center, but was able to move into its own studio down the street in 2020.

Fun Girl Dance School originally launched as a dance company with a different name. Gray collaborated with a dance studio owner in Toledo to open a new branch of dance studio in Michigan. The partnership ended on good terms and Gray continued with the studio.

“After the studio owner stepped down, she encouraged me to blend the two and that's why we have Fun Girl Dance Company & School today,” Gray said.

Gray wanted to create a dance studio that is accessible, educational and creative. In 2020, Fun Girl Dance School achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which allowed for Gray to continue instructing classes while making it affordable for all.

“For me and many other educators, teaching is a way to heal your inner child,” Gray said.

Currently, Fun Girl Dance School is going through a rebranding process, during which Gray will decide how this side of the company will continue and look in the future.

For Gray, educating children is about safe and empowering dance practices. Teaching the difference between discomfort and pain, Gray focuses on being an instructor who shows care and respect to her students. 

“I was never taught the difference between the two, and it was expected to grin and bear it no matter what,” Gray said.

The values Gray incorporates into her instruction are in contrast to the experience she had herself as a dancer in her youth. She described the dehumanization and lack of bodily autonomy she experienced as a younger dancer.

“You were a body, not a person. You were a dancer, not a human being,” she said.

Fun Girl Dance Company emerged from the desire to produce a dance environment that could be centered around inclusivity, community and passion.

“I wanted to create a place for people who were seeking a safe, healthy and uplifting professional environment,” Gray said.

In 2020, Fun Girl Dance Company & School had a planned season full of performances before the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gray decided not to let the dance season's worth of work be disregarded because there could not be a live performance, and decided to do a virtual performance in what would come to be known as Dance Films.

“We did not go into the first film knowing it would be filmed, so it was choreographed for stage and whipped together — all the moving parts of location, set and design and the film was filmed in two weeks,” Gray said.

During the 2021 dance season, Gray decided to continue creating the Dance Films to produce an end product for the company to be proud of. The film release occurred while heavy COVID-19 restrictions were still in place, and was an accessible way to have all the people involved enjoy the work they put into dancing.

“I used to disregard dance films because I wanted to be there and feel and hear the dancers' breath, but I fell in love with the choreography, being a director and the accessibility,” Gray said.

Since the first, Fun Girl Dance Company has produced five dance films from 2020-24, following each season of dance.

Fun Girl Dance Company is set to release its sixth film in the spring of 2026. The film was shot in Spot Lite Detroit and is currently in the post-production stage. Venues are being finalized for a screening of the final product.

After filming six dance films, Gray has worked with many different production and post-production teams in the past. For the seventh film, Gray connected with Frodet Elia, filmmaker and editor, and found that she and Elia clicked on the vision for the film.

“She did what it has taken six men to do, she has read my notes and understands the vision we are trying to produce,” Gray said.

After eight consecutive years of being a business owner, teacher and fellow dancer, Gray found that she needed to reevaluate her time and commitment to Fun Girl Dance Company & School.

“I think dancing for yourself and your own company stops you from taking risks, and I feel like I have gotten to that place and had to take a long, hard look at myself,” Gray said.

Gray realized she missed trying new things and pushing herself to her limit. At the beginning of 2026, Gray committed to learning a new discipline within dance: heels dance.

“I have just missed being a dancer. I have missed having someone else yell at me, and learning from others,” Gray said.

Gray said she thrives in trying new techniques, methods of learning and ways of teaching. She said teachers can’t give from an empty cup and must continue their own education too. 

“I do not care what kind of educator you are, if you are educating you always have to remain a student,” Gray said. 

Through Fun Girl Dance Company & School, Gray has created a queer-centric dance studio focused on bold, innovative and creative choreography and multimedia dance productions. Gray has goals of working with unique and authentic artists to bring their art to life through dance.

“Dance builds reliance, loyalty and stamina in all aspects of life, not just in the studio,” Gray said.

To follow along Gray’s dancing journey and see new productions, follow @chloegray.production or @_garlicgirl on Instagram. For more updates on Fun Girl Dance Company & School, visit chloegrayproduction.com or Instagram @fungirl.school and @fungirldanceco.