From student to mentor: Sandra Carstens’ 65-year ballet journey
Honoured at the South African International Ballet Competition, Sandra Carstens embodies dedication, discipline, and artistry. Her Carstens Ireland Ballet School has nurtured generations of dancers, leaving an indelible mark on South African ballet.
As Women’s Month draws to a close, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Sandra Maureen Carstens, a woman whose passion for ballet has inspired generations of dancers in South Africa and beyond.
Sandra began ballet lessons at the age of four with the renowned teacher Marjorie Sturman, under whom she completed all her Royal Academy of Dance examinations.
At 18, she embarked on a three-year teaching apprenticeship at the Marjorie Sturman Studio while simultaneously studying towards a tertiary degree in education.
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By 1963, Sandra had qualified as a high school teacher, majoring in Mathematics and Music, and had completed her studio training.
In 1965, she opened her ballet studio in Senderwood, which has since grown into the well-respected Carstens Ireland Ballet School.
In 1979, she received her Advanced Teacher’s Certificate, one of only a handful in South Africa to achieve this distinction.
Now, at the age of 83, Sandra continues to teach daily at her studio at Jeppe Quondam, where she remains involved in training and inspiring the next generation.
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Over her remarkable 65-year teaching career, Sandra has impacted the lives of hundreds of students. Many of them went on to professional ballet careers, including her daughters Natasha Ireland (former PACT dancer and teacher) and Anya Segal (Principal Dancer at Joburg Ballet and teacher).
The family legacy continues with her granddaughters: Savannah Ireland (Soloist at Joburg Ballet), Hannah Carstens (Royal Academy of Dance teacher), and Gia Segal, who is following in their footsteps as an aspiring ballerina.
At the 12th South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC), held in Cape Town in July, Sandra was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement and Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution to ballet in South Africa.
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Reflecting on her journey, Sandra explained:
“If you’re a true dancer, you can’t breathe unless you’re dancing. It’s a passion, almost a calling. Dancers don’t do it for money, especially in this country.
“They do it out of love. It’s about the joy you bring to people on stage, those few magical moments that make all the hard work worthwhile.”
Her philosophy has shaped not just dancers, but strong women. As Hannah, her granddaughter, shared:
“Sandra hasn’t just inspired ballerinas; she has inspired generations of strong women. She has taught discipline, resilience, independence, and kindness.
“Wherever we go, people stop her to say how much she has impacted their lives. She is truly unforgettable.”
The Carstens Ireland Ballet School is more than just a studio; it is a family-run institution with four teaching studios at Jeppe Quondam.
Natasha, Hannah, and Anya all teach alongside Sandra, creating a nurturing environment where students train from as young as three years old until they graduate at 18.
Natasha added, “It’s such a blessing, not only to work with family but also to spend every day surrounded by beautiful movement and music.”
The family agrees that Sandra’s strength lies in her fairness and humility. Every student is treated equally, with no favouritism, a value that has earned her lifelong admiration and respect.
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Sandra described her family as artistic at heart: “It’s in our DNA. Artistry is in our genes. I feel so privileged to have been able to teach my children and grandchildren, and to establish a studio that will continue for years to come, training beautiful dancers and keeping the arts alive in South Africa.”
Despite challenges such as a lack of government funding and recognition for the arts, Sandra and her family remain passionate about advocating for ballet in South Africa, reminding audiences that local productions are world-class.
Looking ahead, the family’s dream is for the studio’s legacy to endure:
“We’ve been here for 60 years, and I hope we’ll still be here for another 60, continuing to shape future generations and contributing positively to ballet in South Africa.”
Sandra Carstens is not only a ballet teacher but also a trailblazer, a mentor, and the heart of a four-generation legacy. Her life’s work is a celebration of discipline, passion, and artistry.
