Nominee for the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, Edmonton Arts Trust Fund recipient, and Dorothy Scott Fringe Theatre Creator Award winner, Stephanie Lilley (she/they) is the founder and artistic director of Viva Dance Company. In the company’s almost-fifteen years, Steph and the Viva team have inspired thousands of people with inventive and poignant dance art. In coming months, Viva plans to share their work at the Deep Freeze Festival, Bravo! by Vykrutas Ukrainian Dance, It’s Just You & Me as part of Theater Networks Mainstage Series, the Skirts Afire Festival, UFest, Sweet Nothings, and the 2026 Edmonton Fringe Festival.
Having undergone bilateral hip replacement surgery, Steph surprised many people by vivaciously returning to a highly physical practice of dance. An advocate for dance for all bodies, Steph strives to empower dancers through fostering safe spaces where authenticity and personal agency are celebrated.
Steph joined the cast of the world renowned Ukrainian Shumka Dancers as a choreographer, dancer, artistic consultant, and board member. In this time, she toured across Canada and China performing in regional and contemporary Ukrainian dance productions. Steph instructed Shumka School of Dance’s contemporary programming from 2018-2024 and continues to share her Ukrainian dance knowledge through Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium’s Jube School.
Stephanie is the co-Artistic Director of Orchesis Dance Society, a community-based jazz and modern dance program for adults. In this capacity, Steph designs training and performance opportunities for the membership and collaborates on artistic and administrative endeavours. Orchesis’ annual production of Motif Moves has been a project Stephanie has championed over the last four years. Stephanie has also organized performances for Orchesis dancers with the Edmonton Elks, John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation, NextFest, and Edmonton Public Schools. She created an award for a graduating student of Vimy Ridge Dance Academy to help a local dancer continue their dance journey as they transition to adulthood. In Steph’s time as co-Artistic Director, Orchesis has evolved from near collapse during the pandemic to sold out shows and successful grant applications. She has been pivotal in sustaining this fifty-year-old dance organization.
Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (BKin) as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA). She is a sessional instructor at MacEwan University where she works in the faculty of Health & Community Studies. Although an experienced educator and artist, she continues to be a student herself. Some of her most influential teachers include her children, Jude (11) and Gloria (9).
As an adjudicator, Stephanie works with Zirka Dance Challenge, Vitaemo Ukrainian Dance Festival, Camrose & District Music Festival, Kalyna Festival, Biggar Dance Festival, Peace River Dance Festival, Whitehorse Dance & Music Festival, Culture Fuze, Athabasca Dance Festival, BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival, Shumka Dance Festival, Vernon Performing Arts Festival, Svoboda Dance Festival and the K-Days Talent Search. She has also served on adjudicating committees of municipal and provincial funding bodies.
