26/05/2022
To my DWM Family,
I have sat and pondered the best way to inform everyone of this news, however, I soon worked out there is no nice or less heartbreaking way to do this.
I am writing this email with a heavy, but extremely grateful heart to officially inform our DWM family of my plans to leave Melbourne at the end of this term and move to Wagga. Consequently this will discontinue the operation of classes held by DWM studios on a regular basis in Point Cook, Werribee and Altona Meadows.
For those that don't know, 10 years ago I moved to Melbourne after growing up in Wagga Wagga as a young and ambitious dancer from the country to further pursue my career in dance. Never in a thousand years would I have expected the career I have had. I've travelled the world dancing, I've performed on tv, I've won multiple Australian titles, but most importantly I started a studio out in Melbourne’s west with only 2 students. Over the course of 7 years this studio grew larger than I could ever have imagined. This term, we have close to 200 students enrolled and that is a testament to the wonderful community we have built together.
I would like to take this time to personally thank each and every person who has been a part of our DWM staff faculty. Thank you for transforming a dream into reality and valuing the kids as I do.
The past two years have been far from easy. I have personally watched as the business I built, be solely put onto a platform unknown to us all. I watched as all of our incredible families faced challenges of their own; leading to a business suffering crippling conditions of trade. Through this adversity, each and everyone of you supported myself and my business in whatever way you could. You kept my passion alive, you kept your children's passion alive and you were my reason for getting up each day. Your unwavering support is something I am, and will be eternally grateful for. Each one of your families, feels like my family.
I want to apologise for having to do this via email, however all of your children feel like my children. Therefore, I wanted to make this announcement via email to mentally prepare everyone (including myself) before speaking about it in person.
As you can tell from previous paragraphs, this is not a decision I have made lightly. It is far from easy to walk away from a studio which is thriving and has been built from nothing.
This being a decision based on following my heart and being close to my Mum. Those who know me, know how strongly I value the importance of family. Ten years ago I left Mum alone in Wagga, after tragically losing my Dad at the age of 15. It has now been 10 years that I have been away from her and recent times have shown me that I need to be closer to her, now more than ever.
Up until days ago I had a well executed plan for the studio. It was a well thought out plan, which I sat down for weeks discussing and finalising. I had someone taking over the studio who I knew and trusted. This plan would incorporate me coming to Melbourne from Wagga to visit and teach. Within 24hrs that plan was flipped on its head unexpectedly by the person who had planned to take over the studio. Unfortunately this has left me in a position I really didn't want to be in, where I have to inform everyone later than I would've wanted and without a studio take over plan. The original plan was for myself to still be part of the business from afar and to be able to watch your children continue to thrive. Unfortunately now, if I look externally for someone to purchase the business, my regular contact and involvement is potentially something that may no longer be supported. I would also be handing over my business and entrusting all of my students in the hands of a person i don't fully know, which I don't feel comfortable with. I would not consent to signing away the ability to stay in touch or have the opportunity at any point to be part of your families or children's lives.
For the above reason, I will not be selling the business unless the right person miraculously comes along in the next 4 weeks- which of course I will update you of. I would rather each student find their own dancing journey and still have the opportunity to maintain the connections made.
For those that don't know, I have also been running and operating my Mum’s dance studio back in Wagga Wagga for the last 10 years. Working online and commuting back and forth. I have been doing this for a long time now, so my aim is to come back and teach once a month in Melbourne. If you are someone who may be interested in this occasional dance lesson or wish to continue online, even temporarily as a transition option for you/your child please let me know. I would love to continue a connection of some sort. In saying this I, of course, understand I won't be here permanently and hope each and everyone of our students continues to reach for the stars and fulfil their passion for dance.
I once again thank you for your support and look forward to cherishing our next four weeks in the studio together. You all hold a very special place in my heart and please know this decision was far from easy. In saying this, my goal is not for this to be a goodbye forever but more of a see you soon.
Much love and appreciation always,
Monique Savill
Principal
DWM Studios
