Hip Hop
National Champion and international competitor with a deep understanding of high-energy freestyle movement.
Our Teachers
Meet Our Teachers
Meet the people who inspire, challenge and develop our dancers.
JJDC Teaching Philosophy
Our teachers are passionate professionals dedicated to developing confident, versatile dancers. Each brings a unique perspective, advanced technical training, and a commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student can grow.
Featured Teacher
Kirt Ruiters
Dancer · Choreographer · Teacher
Kirt Ruiters' journey with Jo Jackson Dance Co. began at the age of 8, when he first started training at JJDC. From these early foundations, dance has taken Kirt across South Africa and onto the international stage.
Kirt has travelled and competed throughout South Africa in Freestyle and Hip Hop, achieving Champion status. At just 13 years old, he competed at the Hip Hop World Championships, and he has also been awarded Provincial Colours for Dance.
His professional training continued at the Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town, where he studied Dance, Drama, and Musical Theatre, completing advanced levels in Ballet, Modern, and Tap. Today, Kirt is a passionate and versatile dancer and choreographer committed to teaching and creating expressive, dynamic movement.
His Journey
From student to mentor: A lifelong commitment to dance
Kirt Ruiters' journey with Jo Jackson Dance Co. began at the age of 8, when he first started training at JJDC. From these early foundations, dance has taken Kirt across South Africa and onto the international stage.
Kirt has travelled and competed throughout South Africa in Freestyle and Hip Hop, achieving Champion status. At just 13 years old, he competed at the Hip Hop World Championships, and he has also been awarded Provincial Colours for Dance.
His professional training continued at the Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town, where he studied Dance, Drama, and Musical Theatre, completing advanced levels in Ballet, Modern, and Tap. Today, Kirt is a passionate and versatile dancer and choreographer committed to teaching and creating expressive, dynamic movement.
AGE 8
Started training at Jo Jackson Dance Co.
AGE 13
Competed at the Hip Hop World Championships.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Champion in Freestyle and Hip Hop across South Africa.
WORLD CHAMPION
Lyrical Contemporary at the DanceStar World Championships, Croatia.
TODAY
Teaching and creating dynamic movement at JJDC.
Expertise & Qualifications
A multidisciplinary approach to dance education
Lyrical Contemporary
World Champion title, demonstrating versatility and expressive depth in lyrical and contemporary styles.
Ballet
Advanced training in classical ballet technique from Waterfront Theatre College.
Modern & Tap
Advanced qualifications in Modern and Tap, bringing diverse technical vocabulary to student development.
Choreography
Professional choreographer creating expressive, dynamic pieces for students and showcase productions.
Dance Drama & Musical Theatre
Formal training in Drama and Musical Theatre from Waterfront Theatre College, bringing storytelling depth to movement.
His Philosophy
"My favourite thing about dancing is being able to lose yourself in the music, use your imagination, and become exactly who you are or dream to be."
For Kirt, dance is more than movement. It is a powerful form of expression, an opportunity to explore creativity, and a journey of self-discovery. His teaching approach focuses on guiding dancers of all ages to develop their skills, build confidence, and explore the diverse styles that dance has to offer.
JJDC Teacher
Debbie Muller
Dancer · Teacher
Debbie Muller's passion for music and dance began in childhood and has continued to grow throughout her journey as both a dancer and teacher.
Her formal dance journey began in high school when dance classes were introduced at her school. Shortly afterwards, she discovered Jo Jackson Dance Studio in Stirling, where she completed her Hip Hop examination in 2004 and participated in competitions in 2007.
When Jo relocated, Debbie continued her dance training at Nicky Swales Dance Studio, where she completed her freestyle examinations, with her final examination taking place in 2012.
Debbie's passion for teaching developed soon afterwards when she began teaching for Nicky Swales at Grens Pre-School and Primary School. In 2016, she was also honoured to serve as a judge at the JJDC All Styles Dance Festival.
Following Nicky Swales' retirement, Debbie was delighted to reconnect with Jo Jackson Dance Studio when Jo returned to East London. She joined the JJDC team and has since been teaching at Gimmies Kleuterskool and Ooskus Gimnasium.
Alongside teaching, Debbie has continued to enjoy performing. She has appeared in productions including Elements and Beat It, and most recently performed in Night with the Stars, where her group's routine was awarded Best Performance in their category.
Today, Debbie's love for dance and teaching continues to flourish. She is passionate about inspiring young dancers, sharing her experience and being part of the supportive and creative community at Jo Jackson Dance Studio.
Her Philosophy
"Dance is more than learning steps; it is about discovering confidence, expressing yourself, and finding joy in the journey."
— Debbie Muller
Start Your Dance Journey
Learn from dedicated professionals who are passionate about your growth as a dancer.