Joseph Toonga

Joseph Toonga is a choreographer, performer, and artistic director, originally from Cameroon and raised in East London. His work is deeply rooted in hip-hop culture, using movement to challenge societal norms, address racial stigmas, and amplify underrepresented voices. His dance productions fuse contemporary and hip-hop dance styles, creating compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

In 2007, Joseph founded Just Us Dance Theatre, a collective dedicated to producing thought-provoking dance works and supporting emerging artists. He also co-founded Artists4Artists, an initiative aimed at fostering innovation and sustainability within the hip-hop dance community.

Joseph’s distinctive choreographic voice has led to collaborations with major international dance companies, including Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company, Ballet BC Annex, National Youth Ballet/Bundesjugendballett, Richard Alston Dance Company, and Junior Ballet Madrid. His work has been recognized with the Best Choreography Award at New York’s Reverb Dance Festival.

In 2021, Joseph was appointed as The Royal Ballet’s first Emerging Choreographer, working under the mentorship of Wayne McGregor. During this time, he created “See Us!!” for The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration, marking his Main Stage debut at the Royal Opera House in 2022. His most recent work for The Royal Ballet, 'DUSK', premiered in 2024, further establishing his unique choreographic language within the company.

Joseph’s recent commissions also include “Echoes of Memories” for Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company and “Us” for Ballet BC Annex Company, both premiering in the 2023/2024 season. His commitment to blending hip-hop with contemporary dance forms continues to push artistic boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.