Virginia Davis to retire from dance studio after 48 years in business
By Anita Weier
Northside News
Forty-eight years ago, in 1975, Virginia Davis took a chance that few women did in that era. She started her own business — the Virginia Davis School of Dance, the dance studio of her dreams.
One daughter had finished high school and the other two were close. After years of teaching dance at someone else’s business, Virginia wanted to do it her way. Since then, she has operated her business on the north and east sides of Madison as well as at branch studios in Waterloo, Columbus, Stoughton and Belleville over the years. First operating in rented places, she acquired her own studio on Sherman Avenue on the Northside 25 years ago.
“I have shared my love of dance with students and their families and trained recreational and professional dancers. I have also mentored many studio owners,” she said.
To walk with Virginia around the Northside is to encounter several mothers and daughters who have all been taught by her. Hugs are common.
“The studio has been my professional pride and joy. My daughters have played an intricate part in expanding the Virginia Davis School of Dance. Our staff is like a second family,” she said. “We deeply love all of our students, families, faculty and staff. It has been a privilege to bring the art of dance to generations of children for more than four decades.”
In May 2023, the Virginia Davis school on Sherman Avenue will close and be operated by the Variations Dance Studio, which is owned by Mynda Lynn. The sale was completed in January.
Davis will miss it, as will daughters Kay Hamielec and Vlyn Davis, who have played increasingly major roles in the studio and dance shop. “The experience of owning and operating Virginia Davis School of Dance and Davis Dancewear has been immensely rewarding. Our businesses certainly exceeded my dreams,” she said.
But now, at the age of 85, it is time to retire after a final recital in the spring. “Now is the time to enjoy our retirement and spend more time with our growing families — children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said.
“We share this news with gratitude and a sense of peace that this is the right decision for our families. We are proud to be a part of the Madison dance community and look forward to supporting it in the years ahead.”