Artisitic Team
Meet Viter's talented Artistic Team
Bringing our vision of song and dance to life.
Choral Director
Lesia Pohoreski
Lesia Pohoreski established the Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir in 2008. What was a small and enthusiastic group of fourteen singers in the first years as a Choir, the Viter Choir has grown to include musicians and close to forty energetic voices under her direction. Since Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine occurred in 2022, Lesia has led initiatives in Viter and the community to welcome and empower Ukrainian newcomers in the Edmonton region to unite in Ukrainian culture and folk art. Currently, The Viter Choir includes over 10 singers from Ukraine and accompanying musicians from Ukraine. In 2022, Lesia received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her contributions to the Ukrainian community. As the conductor of the Edmonton CYMK (youth) choir and a Ukrainian children’s choir in Sherwood Park, she realized her calling and chose teaching as her profession.  Lesia taught for several years within the Ukrainian bilingual program as a language, music and performing arts teacher.  At St. Theresa Catholic Middle School in Sherwood Park, she established the Performing  Arts Program. Currently, she is a substitute church choir conductor, as well as a substitute  teacher with Elk Island Catholic Schools. Lesia retired from the Elk Island Catholic School Division in 2024. Lesia has been part of the Viter team for over 15 years, blending Ukrainian folk songs into Viter’s performances. She has been instrumental in creating ensemble pieces for Viter. Her choral experience, as well as experience in teaching performing arts, have made Viter’s Malanka productions successful, blending traditional Ukrainian folk song and dance with contemporary themes. Lesia’s artistic flair is evident in the multiple projects she undertakes. Her passion and enthusiasm are echoed in the resonance her choirs create.
Dance Director
Joseph Hoffman
At an early age, Joe Hoffman learned the power of stories to share thoughts, feelings, perspectives, and whole worlds! Ever since he has been working hard to find and create innovative stories and work with talented people in that pursuit. The collaboration of languages in music and movement is something he has always found particularly magical.
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He previously served as the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers' Artistic Associate and danced with the company for 10 years. He has taught dance throughout the province of Alberta, and his artistic mindset, coupled with his background as a Kinesiologist and Exercise Physiologist, offer him a unique insight and experience to bring into dance leadership and the Viter Artistic Team.
Dance Director
EmilyBelke-Farrell
Driven by her love of dance and culture, Emily Belke-Farrell, has spent the last decade teaching dance around the province of Alberta. Her passion for dance pedagogy, storytelling, and stagecraft led her to complete her Bachelor of Education in Drama and Physical Education. Her dance career has taken her on many adventures including, competing with Team Canada in Germany, performing around the world with Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company, and several Cobblestone tours. As president of the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association, she has loved helping cultivate many opportunities for Ukrainian dancers and instructors within Alberta and the Ukrainian dance community. She is excited to be a part of the Viter team and their long history of excellence in storytelling and weaving contemporary themes into a traditional art form.