Our studio Manager, Dahlia, has been part of Sky Sirens since before its conception. She has helped the studio grow and develop into what it is today - and that is something we will forever be grateful for!

Sadly, Dahlia is moving on - headed to the coast to start her new life as a beach babe! She will always be a part of our community, even from afar. Our wonderful team wanted to share the ways that they have felt touched by Dahlia in their lives.

Katia

It doesn't feel real that you're leaving. I've been so privileged to spend almost every day with my best friend for almost eight years. We work and play so perfectly together. To not have you work with me is one thing - but to have you live so far away is just not even comprehendible right now. I keep putting it to the back of my mind, and putting off thinking about it.

As much as I know this is such a huge, positive step in your life - I can't help but to have selfish feelings about you leaving.

I love you so much, kind of like Golem with the ring in Lord of the Rings. Picture me snatching you from the removal truck screaming "MINE! MY PRECIOUS". I hope the Central Coast is full of bugs, sea lice, boring restaurants, supermarket peasant cheese and is generally so wretched that you come back to Sydney. I'm obviously not joking.

My Favourite Memories

This is a difficult question, because almost all of my amazing memories are with you. I feel like I just want to take over this whole blog post with the antics of Katia and Dahlia. But here's eight, for every year I've known you:

2014 - When you were my boss and we both suspiciously finished our retail job and were planning to head to our top-secret second job afterwards. Only to find out that we were both working at the same club and were starting at the same time. I was secretly terrified of you, but then something changed as we worked together that night. This marked the start of a life-long friendship of scamming dudes, laughing, dancing, eating and love.

2015 - Attempting drunk, naked acro-balancing for the first time on a chipped 1m x 1m stage covered in slippery champagne. And getting paid for it.

2016 - This was the year we opened Sky Sirens, so there's obviously heaps - but my absolute all-time favourite is when we gap filled the skirting board of the upstairs bathroom with toilet paper and no-gaps.

2017 - Someone blowing the speaker at Nightcap with a spilt drink, so we gave up and drank all the cocktails.

2018 - Taking slutty Lamborghini pictures in the Dollhouse courtyard AND showing up on a date wearing the exact same outfit.

2019 - Performing for the last time together on the Glory Box stage, in a performance I'm most proud of.

2020 - Creating Make it Rain together, and seeing our students perform our choreography so perfectly on the Unicorns Mardi Gras stage before lockdown. Even though covid ruined the actual show, seeing them perform this creation was magical.

2021 - Having you by my side during my surgery, and helping me feel less alone.

My Favourite Things about Dahlia

Dahlia is such a generous, thoughtful angel. She's honest, and tells you when you've fucked up. She validates you when you're upset.

She's extremely helpful - you basically don't need to use your own brain when you're friends with her. She's really good at maths and making pillow walls.

She's the ultimate plant doctor. She won't let you eat food that's not what you ordered because you're too shy to speak up. She's funny and silly. She makes you feel special and loved.

Final Thoughts

I can't wait to visit you and see your amazing new house. I want lots of pictures every day. But regardless of all the jokes, I love you so much and I do genuinely hope you love your life up there.

Work won't be the same without you, but I know we will be friends forever.

Maya

Dahlia, I don’t want you to leave! I know that this is the right move for you, and that you will be so happy in your new home - but I want you to stay!

You have a very gentle soul, but you are tough when it is needed. You hold us to a high standard and encourage us to do our best, especially when that means taking care of ourselves. Even my cat, Nance, loves you - even though she hates everyone else but me!

You were among my first set of instructors and I really valued your trauma-informed style of teaching.

I am wishing you a wonderful time chasing waves, baking in the sun with your cats, and having lots of horizontal time in your new home. I will love and support you from afar!

Wednesday

D, I am so utterly heartbroken and devastated that you're leaving the Sirens fam, but so thrilled and excited for you to start this new chapter of your life. In the 5 years I've known you, I've seen you grow and change into one of the most remarkably strong, intelligent and beautiful people I have ever met. This past 5 years has been so radical for you, with so many ups and downs with your professional career and health, but your resilient spirit has always shone through, and your example has honestly given me so much strength to be guided by during my own struggles.

I can say with absolute certainty that I would not be where I am today or living my dreams without you. You were one of my very first teachers.

You have guided and mentored me professionally with respect, tough love and encouragement.

As a leader I always felt heard and valued from you, and I will miss you as my manager so much. Personally, you have been my rock on so many occasions. As you know I don't feel comfortable opening up to many people, but I never hesitate with you because I know I'll be met with warmth, compassion and honestly. You are one of my very closest friends and without a doubt one of the most important people in my life.

My favourite memories

• Eating dumplings instead of choreographing

• Gremlin dancing in the parlour to Vanessa Amarosi and Jack-jack-Jacquiiiii

• My first ever "dream girls" class

• Years of Doubles Lyra

• Our daily hugs

My favourite things about Dahlia

• Humour

• Kindness

• Honesty

• Strength and perseverance

• Butt

D, I absolutely adore you, and will always treasure you no matter if your 100cm or 100kms from me ❤️ I wish you and Claire nothing but love, success, and peace on this new journey

Kittyhawk

Images by Suzy LaFosse & Elixir Black

While I'm so sad to see her go, and there is no way Sky Sirens could possibly be the same without her, I'm so excited for Dahlia. I know this is the blossoming of a long-wished for dream and I hope that it is everything you've imagined and more. I'll miss you so bad!!

My favourite memories

I have so many beautiful memories with Dahlia. I remember Dahlia was my teacher for my first ever term of Vixens.

Dahlia is such a warm-hearted and dedicated teacher, always taking the time to make sure everyone felt comfortable and confident doing the moves.

It was a 9pm class so I remember at the end of term we ordered some delicious dinner from Uber Eats to have after class!

I also have fun memories of Dahlia helping me with choreography when I was just a baby dancer, helping me to feel the music, count timings and explore my own motion through dance. She always had time for me and it was such a pleasure to learn from her.

My favourite things about Dahlia

Dahlia just seems to have a truly bottomless capacity for love and care. Even in the most difficult situations, Dahlia is always able to see outside of herself and act with compassion and empathy, treating everyone with kindness and consideration for their needs. I've always admired that about Dahlia and aspired to be more like her in this respect.

Baby

Dahlia, you’ve always mesmerized me – from your captivating stage presence, to your seemingly effortless grace in the hoop, to the way you care about literally everything with your whole heart. As my Pearls and Vixenettes/Vixens Lyra teacher when I first started at Sirens back in 2018, you were the one who willed me up into that high hoop, taught me everything I know about twerking, and created a space for me to feel unapologetically sexy for the first time maybe ever?? I remember desperately trying to impress you as a new student – this mystical, magical, mermaid goddess who I looked up to so much.

I definitely still look up to you, but since then I’ve come to realise that you’re just a total goofball with the biggest heart and not a judgmental bone in your body!

I am so grateful to you for your endless support, patience and love, both as a student and as I’ve transitioned into becoming an instructor. You are such a pivotal part of what makes Sky Sirens so incredibly special and I truly can’t imagine the studio without you, but I’m so excited for your next chapter and wish you all the love and happiness in the world.

Love always, Baby xx

Nikki G

Images by Suzy LaFosse & Elixir Black

Dear Dahlia,

It has been an absolute pleasure working with you at Sky Sirens for the last two years. Thank you for believing in me and for all the opportunities you gave me, I will be forever grateful.

I wish you all the best for your new chapter in life and you’ll be dearly missed by all of us at Sky Sirens. 

My favourite memories

My favourite memory with Dahlia is when we were shooting the red latex photoshoot and she was there to help me get into and out of positions with giant stripper heels and also with her endless encouragement and support throughout the shoot saying “yesss Nikki G” and “that’s hot!” 

My favourite thing about Dahlia

My favourite thing about Dahlia is that she is a great listener and has such a nurturing and kind personality making her an amazing manager. 

Bolly Golightly

Wishing our Virgo Queen D all the best in her next calling. Your hair is literally in the floorboards of Sky Sirens, so you’ll never be far from our hearts.

My favourite memories

My favourite memory is of Heartstoppers 2020 when Dahlia filled my long dream of revealing herself as a Bollywood icon. I have long suspected that Dahlia has a secret identity as Alia Baht, the Bollywood star (Google her and you’ll see). Apart from the striking resemblance, Alia pole dances, is an expert dancer and is super cute. And when I dressed Dahlia in a sari and some desi jewels, she could have flown straight to Mumbai to begin her new career.

But this wasn’t just a costume for Dahlia. We collaborated on our performance as a genuine cultural exchange. She respectfully learned Indian dance technique, asking questions and listening deeply. In turn, she taught me stripper basics, mentoring us through to a great performative piece with a story.

Dahlia/Alia the Bollywood Siren is a beautiful person inside an out, an excellent leader, a skilled manager, and a person of substance and strength.

Most of all, she has been a great friend, always managing to intuitively check in on me when I needed it. I’m going to miss her very much, but I’ll be calling on her again any time I need to be Virgo’d.   

Bronte

Images by Katia Schwartz

Bronte

Hey D,

I feel so honoured to have had the opportunity to have you as a manager, mentor and friend over the last year and a half. You have been such a strong and integral part of Sky Sirens since it began and you embody all of its core values. I love the approach you bring to everything you do in life, firm but fair, thoughtful and reflective with a giggle and a cheeky flair. You are so approachable, kind and measured.

You have a wealth of knowledge, not just about Sky Sirens and teaching but about the world, especially navigating interpersonal relationships.

Thank you for always being a voice of reason! Your input is always awaited and needed, especially in times of chaos! 

I love this photo of us from our maternity shoot and really enjoyed the intimate covid hopeless photoshoot we did together! 

I am so excited for this new chapter in your life, moving onto things that bring you so much joy, accomplishment and learning challenges. You are going to be amazing at whatever comes your way. 

I’m also so excited for your hot beach babe summer! 

Love you so much, thank you for everything, 

Bebecat 

Mercedes

Hey Dahlia,

Thank you for being such a bright presence in the studio.

You are an incredible force, and you will be missed forever.

I wish you the best for your new chapter in life and you enjoy every minute of it.

You deserve it all!

- Mercedes x

Gigi

Oooh my god I am so sad you are going!

But we are so lucky to have had you in Sirens for all these years. I have so many really funny, heartwarming and fun memories with you that I'll cherish 5ever.

Thank you for teaching me how to shake my ass and not twerk like a mating rabbit, thank you for teaching me how to teach and being the most incredible manager, thank you for always being so supportive of me as a student and an instructor.

I hope you this next chapter of your life is everything you dream it to be and that you still visit us for a little boogie every now and then.

Quench

Image by Katia Schwartz

Dearest Dahlia,

You have believed in me in my weakest and always giving motivational advise to lift my spirits.

I appreciate you, always. I’ve enjoyed our time together especially dancing all your choreys for “Make it Rain”. You have an eye for detail and always putting your best self in all the work that you do. I have attached the photo where we tried some acro tricks, failed, succeeded, and had heaps of fun. Really wish we can perform all the choreys you did for us.

You have created that safe space for me to explore, learn, and create.

I will always be grateful for you and Katia for creating Sky Sirens and for being our dance fairy moms!

As you go to your next journey, I only wish you good health and happiness.

Ps: I will never forget this moment from Heartstoppers last October where I made you cry because of my piece. You can always watch it on YouTube when you feel like reminiscing and to remember how Sky Sirens has helped me spread my wings again.

Ferri Maya

Image by Sky Sirens’ Creative Team

Dear Dahlia,

Thank you for always being responsive, caring and wonderful. You made me feel right at home when I joined the sirens team and I will miss seeing your face around the studio. You were there for me when I needed to stand back and take care of my family and importantly you told me I was doing the best thing and that the team would be there when I was ready.

Through all my back and forth, you always included me and that made me so happy.

Favourite Memory

One of my favourite memories of us is when you went to close the curtain mid way through my act… I just sat there in a split, trying to catch your eye. Finally, the banta from the crowd made you realise it was not the end.

I wish you so much happiness, positivity and health in your next chapter.

Thank you for being you. ♥️

Tabby

Dahlia has been the cornerstone of my experience at Sky Sirens! She was my Babydoll Instructor when I first steeled my nerves to try out Lyra, and helped me fall in love with the apparatus and the studio. Cut to becoming an instructor, and Dahlia was the most incredible support. I wish you all the best D, and thank you so much for everything you’ve taught me!

Maddie

Where to even start?

I first met you when I started at Sky Sirens as a student. I’d always come to class in gross exercise clothes and you would be immaculate and I’d just think ‘wow she’s a goddess!’

We became friends pretty quickly and I also had a huge crush on you because I thought you were so vibrant and cool.

You’ve been an amazing friend, supporter, manager, shoulder to cry on, instructor, doubles partner, cheerleader and just a god damn good time.

I will miss you dearly. I applaud your courage for making this move and I truly believe that anywhere you go, you will create a beautiful love filled life.

See you soon. I love you

Arizona

Image by Jack Ailwood

The thought of you leaving makes me cry each time, but I know this new journey is exactly what your spirit needs.

I am so excited for your fruit-growing, hoya loving and all around gardening wholesome content with your beautiful cuddle crew.

You’re an inspiration and thank you for our existential chats and your empathetic soul. Will miss you so much!

Thanks,

Ez xx

Porcelain Alice

My favourite memory

One of my favourite memories of Dahlia was her performing at the Oyster Club - a show I used to co-produce - seeing her strength, determination and grace radiate in a queer performance space.

I think these qualities are something she brings to everything she does and I'm so happy for her to have a new adventure awaiting.

Oryx

Dear Dahlia,

Fankoo for being you. I have been so lucky to work with you and to know you. And to call you a friend. This lil Scorpio appreciates your grounding Virgo energy! There was something so familiar about you and I felt close to you really quickly. I think you have that power. Without you, I wouldn't have connected with the Sky Sirens community. What a blessing for me.

I hope you find lots of space, calming energy and revitalising strength on the coast.

I know I did! I love you lots and adore everything about you. I'm going to miss you so much. But I will see you online and when you decide to visit!

xoxo Oryx / Orxy

Mia

Nicoletta

Dahlia!! From the moment we met at my interview you were nothing but kind and so warm towards me. You even gave me a lift home that day haha & we had just met! I remember just being blown away by your sincerity and thinking how great working here was going to be with people like you running it! Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and all the help you’ve given me, especially during my pregnancy and constantly checking in on me even after I stopped teaching.

I’m so glad I’ve met you and got to work with you & wish you all the luck & happiness on your new adventure!

My favourite memory

Comparing bellies at our staff Christmas party when I was 14wks pregnant! Hahaha you make me laugh and your body positivity is inspiring!

Lily

Image by Katia Schwartz

Dahliaaaaa!!!

I am sad that you are leaving us. Honestly, even if I was super scared of you at the beginning (and still are sometimes ) I cannot imagine anyone else replacing you.

You are such a kind soul, always know which words to say to help us or make us laugh.

I hope you will have a lot of fun in your new home (and I’m definitely visiting), and that you’ll spend most of your time getting a nice tan on this peachy bum while drinking margaritas. Don’t forget to bring some of your lemons with you.

Bye byeeee Queen D

Suzy

Images by Sky Sirens Creative Team

Dear Dahlia, I'm so excited for you and this next chapter in your life but I will miss you so much! Without you and the push you gave me, I would never have taken that first Lyra class and found something that I absolutely love and made me feel so strong.

You continued to encourage and push me when I started working at the studio and I've done things I never thought I could.

Thank you for that! I will miss chatting to you at work and learning all sorts of random things from your wealth of knowledge and almost any topic!

You are a large part of what has made Sky Sirens such a lovely welcoming space and I know everyone who works there will miss you and try their best to continue your legacy of support, encouragement and general dance mum skills!

I wish you all the joy for your new adventure.

All my love,
Suzy xx

Farrah

Dearest Dahlia. How on earth are we going to manage without our Virgo queen keeping everything running?? Over the years you've had a hand in everything at Sky Sirens from arranging photoshoots and chorey videos, performing any and all reception duties, booking shows & events, teaching, nurturing, caring - you’ve been there for Kat & the studio from day dot! Your tireless work behind the scenes can’t be overstated, and you’ve touched so many more lives than you will ever know with warmth & kindness, tempered with a resolution and confidence that I’ve always deeply admired.

I hope your next journey is just as fulfilling and fun for you, with lots of space for creativity, learning, and love. Safe travels to our forever Virgo queen, you will be sorely missed and never forgotten!

Anastasia

I have known you for almost 10 years now! Having met you through Katia, I fell in love with your loyalty, ability to listen and your warm open heart.

You bring a liveliness to those around you, and Sky Sirens will not be the same without you.

You are always going to be remembered as one of the original staff who helped build an empire! Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things you will create in the future!

Indy

Image by Natasha Killeen

Dahlia!!!! Good luck on your move and this exciting next chapter of your life. It sounds like you will be exactly where you’re meant to be!

My favourite memory

Honestly, just chats upon chats. I am so appreciative of the space Dahlia creates in her life to be such an amazing friend and manager.

My favourite things about Dahlia

D is so generous, she gives so much! She is kind and compassionate and makes sure to show up for her loved ones, she’s an amazing manager and so empathetic and understanding, she advocates for marginalised folk and constantly puts her money where her mouth is.

D is an amazing friend to so many, and we have all been blessed at Sky Sirens to get to know her in one way or another.

She has truly been a part of each and every one of our journeys. Everyone needs a D in their life!

Dahlia, I am a better person for having known you. You teach me so much, directly and indirectly. You are such an amazing role model and a force to be reckoned with. Thank you for all that you do .

Lottie

Hi Dahlia!

We didn't have the opportunity to work together for long, but it's been so wonderful to be able to know you during my time at Sirens. I don't know if you remember, but you're actually the reason I passed Babydoll lyra in my very first term. Maddie was sick during week 7 and I couldn't do a bird's nest - and you showed me how to get into it successfully, so I passed the testing. That was the first time I met you! It's been a joy to have you as an instructor over the years and I'm so lucky I had that opportunity. All the best with the move and the next phase of your life. You will be very missed, but I know you're off to better things. I can't wait to see all the magical, fulfilling things you do with your life.

- Lottie xx

Sofia

D, I am so excited for this next chapter of your life.

I admire your strength and sense of self and appreciate your ability to make everyone you speak to feel valued and special. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you and to collaborate and birth some creative pursuits.

I have absolutely no doubt that whatever you set your mind to next you will thrive and be successful!

We will miss your infectious laugh and positive attitude and cannot wait to see what you get up to next.

Lots of love and positive vibes.

Sofia xx