Plumstead’s Ingrid Carlson, founder of the Ingrid Carlson School of Ballet (ICSB), has put Cape Town on the international map after being shortlisted for a major global award in dance education.
Carlson was recently named one of only four finalists worldwide for the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Innovation in Dance Award, a prestigious accolade that honours teachers who show exceptional creativity and forward-thinking in how they teach, choreograph, and contribute to the broader world of dance.
While the final award went to a fellow nominee, Carlson’s recognition stands as a proud moment for the Southern Suburbs.
“It’s a huge honour,” she said, seated in her sunlit Plumstead studio surrounded by mirrors and young dancers preparing for exams. “To be recognised by the RAD, and to be in the company of such inspiring educators, motivates me to keep growing and contributing to dance in SA.”
Carlson, a life member of the RAD, began her dance journey at the UCT Ballet School and went on to perform with the Performing Arts Council of the Free State (Pacofs). But her heart lay in teaching and in making classical ballet more accessible to children across Cape Town.
Over the years, she has taught at numerous organisations, including Dance for All in Athlone and ZAMA Dance School in Gugulethu, playing a vital role in developing young dancers from under-resourced communities.
Her school, ICSB, based in Plumstead, follows the Vaganova method, a classical Russian ballet technique known for building strong, expressive dancers. Carlson introduced this method after working closely with Prof Ljiljana Urosevic, a
Vaganova graduate and master teacher.
“It’s a method that focuses not only on strength and technique, but also on artistry and expression,” she explained. “Our students don’t just learn to dance, they learn to communicate through movement.”
ICSB students take part in regular exams and stage performances, with many going on to pursue professional careers.
Carlson is known for spotting and nurturing talent. Over the years, she has secured countless bursaries for promising students.
She is also the driving force behind the Creative Movement category at the Cape Town Ballet Eisteddfod, which she introduced to encourage original choreography and personal expression among dancers.
Today, it is one of the competition’s most entered categories.
“There’s incredible talent in Cape Town,” she says. “This category gives young dancers a space to create something that is truly their own.”
“It’s not just about the stage,” she says. “It’s about giving dancers the tools to imagine, to lead, and to express who they are through dance.”
Though the international recognition is a proud moment, Carlson remains grounded in her mission: to keep opening doors for local dancers, especially those who might not believe the world of ballet has space for them.
“There’s so much talent right here in our communities,” she said. “We just have to nurture it and believe in it.”
