For 95 years, generations of West Aussies have walked through its doors looking for a dance lesson, a partner, a little confidence or simply somewhere to belong.
There have been nervous beginners, wedding couples, world champions, fancy dress balls, discos and even raves.
And for one family, it has been home.
But now the music has stopped at one of Perth’s most enduring institutions with Gilkisons Dance Studio closing its doors after almost a century.
For international dance star Jason Gilkison, the farewell is deeply personal.
The studio was established by his grandfather Sam in 1931 and became the creative home of Jason and dance partner Peta Roby from their first jive together 53 years ago.
In an emotional social media post on Tuesday, Jason described waking to a heavy heart as the family business prepared to close for the final time.
“My heart is a little heavy this morning,” he wrote.
“Established 95 years ago by my beautiful Grandad Sam, this Perth institution has seen family, friends, nervous beginners, wedding couples, discos, raves and everything in between, countless students from all over the planet, teachers, world champions.”
He recalled the countless hours, laughs and tears shared within the walls of the Murray Street studio.
“Here’s to everyone who passed through these doors, but first and last to my Grandad Sam,” he wrote.
“Thank you for the dance.”
The tributes flowing from post reveal just how deeply the studio had embedded itself in Perth life.
Former students recalled Saturday junior classes, private lessons, medal examinations and the fancy dress balls that punctuated their school years.
One remembered her family making the weekly journey from Two Rocks for jazz classes, while another recalled sitting for hours watching Jason and Peta practise.
“This studio changed my life,” one former student wrote.
Another described it as an icon of the city.
For some, the connection went back even further, with one follower revealing Sam was a cousin of her grandmother Sadie Halkett and that she had grown up hearing stories about him and his dancing.
Even Sam’s sayings have endured.
“Paint your face with sunshine,” one follower remembered him saying.
The studio’s history is inseparable from that of its founder.
Sam Gilkison began teaching dancing in Perth in 1931, initially working with teaching partner Winnie Wright before building the family business with his wife Ronnie.
He became a familiar figure in WA dancing, taking ballroom lessons into schools, appearing on television and helping generations of young people develop confidence and social skills.
His contribution extended well beyond the dance floor.
He was appointed an MBE in 1980 and inducted into the Australian Dancing Hall of Fame in 1988.
The family legacy would eventually reach the international stage through grandson Jason, whose career with Peta Roby helped take their dancing around the world.
Their success — and Jason’s subsequent work as an internationally acclaimed choreographer — was built on foundations laid in the Perth studio.
But the business’s extraordinary history could not save its home.
The building at 45 Murray Street was sold on September 18, with the commercial property listing stipulating vacant possession.
Gilkisons, which had occupied the premises for decades, subsequently announced it had been forced to leave after negotiations with the new owners to remain at the site failed.
The studio said it had pursued options to stay until the last moment but had been unable to reach an agreement.
Among the messages of support was one from Newcastle Dance Centre, another family dance business established in 1931.
“We can only imagine how hard this has been to say goodbye,” it wrote, offering its best wishes to the Gilkison family.
“The memories never die. We only move to a new chapter.”
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