JOEL

BIOGRAPHY

My name is Joel Juht, also known as JJ, and I was born in Estonia on the 14th February 1981, and I have a bachelor’s degree in youth work.

I am mostly known as a dancer and choreographer who has been engaged in promoting street dance culture throughout Estonia since 1993.

I have been a member of the first hip hop dance group in Estonia called 34U, choreographed for singers and ensembles both in Estonia and abroad, won various dance competitions, worked as a dance instructor and choreographer for over 20 years and have established the first street dance school in Estonia, JJ-Street Dance Company, along with the largest youth club Urban Style.

In addition, I have been repeatedly named one of the best youth workers in Estonia, I’ve participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, have acted in one of Estonia’s legendary feature films “Revolution of Pigs”, participated in advertising campaigns, helped to stage theatre performances, initiated charity and social projects, organized major events, managed other artists, and conducted various management and motivation courses.

For the last 15 years, I have been actively involved in business, leadership, and development of young people. I have faced challenges to force my body and mind to learn something new and not to stay in the comfort zone. Sports and being active have always been a significant part of my life, as I took on Greek-Roman wrestling when I was young, and later trained in other martial arts. Sports have taught me discipline, and made it easier to make decisions in difficult times.

“Despite the fact that I had trained in various sports in the past, I hated running. In 2017, my first challenge was to finish the 247 km ultra-run Marathon Des Sables 32 in the Sahara Desert because I was told that I would never be able to do it.”

Another challenge was to successfully participate in the Estonian Championship in Golf, for which I had to get to HCP 18 level, but it just so happened, that I reached HCP 14. During those challenges I proved to myself and others that everything is possible.

My driving force is adventure, fear and knowledge, so that I could inspire more people to act, leave their fears behind and better themselves through my stories and experiences. I have always liked the true stories about real people and events. That is why I like to share my story or stories with others, in order to motivate people to take action – whether it is in sports, culture or business.

Each one of us has somebody somewhere, who constantly breaks down our dreams and says that you can not do something. The world produces a mass of negativity, because it sells better, and a lot of people are sucked in and consumed by it. However, positivity would definitely be more profitable for everyone.

I believe that people should contribute more of their resources to positive projects and initiatives, to reduce the impact of negativity.

RECOGNITION | ACHIEVEMENTS
2021
  • Winter extreme challenge in Estonia 360 km
  • JJ & Culpas - Meeldib Ei Meeldi song
  • JJ & Culpas - Nukits song
2018
  • 130 km charity race from Tallinn to Pärnu
2017
2016
  • Stage movement manager of “This Moment” at the Tallinn City Theatre
  • Winner of the prize “With Children and for Children” 2016, creator of change 2015
2015
  • The mentor of Youth of the Year in the city of Tartu
  • EFFE LABEL 2015-2016. Recognition by the Estonian representation of the European Commission
2014
  • At the opening of the elderly festival, the best of the best in the “Years Full of Brilliance and Dignity” competition, Hip Hop Grannies dance Project was honoured in the category of intergenerational ties
2012
  • In the category “The Great Acts of Tallinn’s youth”, JJ-Street Dance Company project “Cleaning painted walls of Müürivahe Street” was recognised, as they proved that there is a big difference between scribble/tagging and art.
2010
  • Street culture festival JJ-Street Baltic Session was recognised in the category “The Great Acts of Tallinn’s youth”
2008
  • In the category “Small Acts of Tallinn’s youth”, recognition for helping develop street dance and organizing different training sessions and events for young people. I founded  JJ-Street Dance Company in Tallinn, organized Camp of Hip-Hop and street dance festival JJ- Street Baltic Session
2007
  • 2007-2012 opening of the Tele2 Go Live concert tour and choreography
  • Foundation of Estonian House Founders
  • 2007-2016 – the initiator and chief organizer of the first street culture festival in Estonia, JJ-Street Baltic Session
2006
  • Certificate from the founder of Locking dance style, Greg Campbellock Jr.
2005
  • The choreographer for Eha Urbsalu in the Estonian Eurovision
2004
  • Dancer and choreographer for HANNAH
  • Battle of the East, electric boogie, 1st place
  • Choreographer for Lithuanian Eurovision 2nd place, singer RUTA
  • Opening of the Golden Disc
  • Opening of the Vanilla Ninja concert
  • Estonian Championships in Club Dance. Club Atlantis, best male dancer
  • Singer of “Take The Lid Off” on the album “Suvehitt”
  • Choreographer and actor in the film “The Revolution of Pigs”
2003
  • Nightlight Duo in the Estonian Eurovision finals
  • Singer of “Freestyle”
  • Performer at the concert tour Rahvaeurokas
  •  Estonian master in electric boogies
  • To date – the initiator and chief organizer of the first annual street dance camp “Camp of Hip-Hop” in Estonia
  • Establishment of JJ-Street Dance Company, the first street dance school in Estonia
  • Battle of the Year Baltic 2nd place
  • Koolitants competition panel member
  •  
2000
  • 2000-2002 – mime in Tallinn Old Town
1998
  • Participation in the TV show “Famous or Strange”
1997
  • 6-hour disco marathon, 1st place
1995
  • Establishment of the first hip-hop dance group in Estonia (34U)
1987
  • Competition “Laulumaias” in Võru, 1st place
FOLLOW ME ON
2023 © Joel Juht aka JJ –
All Rights Reserved