Nominee for the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts and recipient of the Edmonton Arts Trust Fund and Dorothy Scott Fringe Theatre Creator Award, Stephanie Lilley (she/they) is the founder and artistic director of Viva Dance Company. Under her leadership, the company has performed hundreds of times and has become a staple in the Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Edmonton arts community. In addition to The Edmonton Signing Christmas Tree, Fringe Festivals across the country, galas, and charity events, the company continues to bring dance to new markets including hockey arenas (Edmonton Oil Kings) and fashion shows (Western Canada Fashion Week).
Having undergone bilateral hip replacement surgery, Steph takes a dancer-centered approach in which she strives to cater dance programming to the needs of each artist she works with. She advocates for inclusive dance programming for all bodies and uses dance to empower the artists she works with. Steph’s dance manifesto fosters authenticity and kindness in the studio which she then encourages dancers to take out to the community.

Stephanie was part of the world renowned Ukrainian Shumka Dancers as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic consultant in which time she toured across Canada and China. She ran Shumka School of Dance’s contemporary programming from 2018-2024. Stephanie regularly shares her passion for Ukrainian dance with students at Jube School, an arts outreach program offered by the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

Stephanie is the co-Artistic Director of Orchesis Dance Society, a community-based dance program for adults. In this capacity, she programs classes, workshops, and performances. Orchersis’ annual production of Motif Moves has been a project Stephanie has championed over the last four years. She has been a driving force in keeping this fifty-year-old dance organization alive and thriving. Stephanie has facilitated performances for Orchesis dancers with the Edmonton Elks, The John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation, NextFest, and many more.

Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology (BKin) as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA). Steph is a sessional instructor at MacEwan University where she works in the faculty of Health & Community Studies. Although an experienced teacher and performer, 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 has worked 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.