Tributes are pouring in for local dance instructor Joanna Wright, who passed away at the age of 66 on Thursday, November 7.
Wright died peacefully after a long battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband Graham, her son Oliver, her daughter Nicola, her sister Eve and her mother, Judith.
”We are going to miss her love, her laughter, her compassion, her passion for life, family and dance.
“She had a ‘never give up’ attitude and a strong desire for perfection,” shared Graham.
Wright fell in love with dancing at a young age and dedicated her life to performing, and later teaching ballet.
After studying at prestigious ballet academies in London, she opened her own school, the Joanna Wright School of Ballet.
Kayleigh Bruce-Alexander was Wright’s assistant teacher for a year-and-a-half and witnessed her love for teaching first-hand.
“Her passion was her teaching, and the children adored her. She was a powerhouse, an amazing mentor and human being.
“I am privileged to have known her and grateful for the wisdom she has imparted to me,” said Bruce-Alexander.
Social media has been inundated with messages of condolences and praise for the well-known teacher.
Adri Steyn posted: “I was one of Joanna’s first students in SA at the age of six. I could not speak a word of English and very little Afrikaans.
“Over the years, her favourite Afrikaans words became koeksister and melktert when I did not pull in my tummy. I had the privilege to dance with her for 12 years.
“She is the reason that today I have the confidence to speak in public without preparing, and I can do improvised dancing, she taught me to think on my feet.”
Tracey Maaske wrote that she was grateful she was taught by Wright for 17 years, and that her daughter spent three years under her tutelage.
Helen Schultz posted: “Thank you Joanna Wright for the many wonderful, happy years of ballet our girls enjoyed with you.
“The most wonderful concerts, we will never forget.
“You played a very important part in shaping Angela and Jessica’s characters and their good health and happiness with the beautiful discipline of dance.”
Kerry Belgrove posted: “Words can’t even begin to describe the remarkable person you were to so many, Joanna Wright, and the incredibly heavy hearts we have today. Forever in our hearts and the way we carry ourselves.”
Chrissie Carter posted: “Joanna Wright you were an absolute inspiration to me, you taught me so much through my ballet career and I will be forever grateful for the knowledge you gave me.
“Although I was out of South Africa a long time, I thought of you often and will carry all the memories from my dance career with me.
“Rest in peace and now you can dance in the heavens above! You will be missed.”
