Our dear conductor, Lars Kristian Håkestad Eliassen (born 1983) has been with us since the beginning, and was one of the driving forces behind establishing Via Vitae.

He is originally from Tjølling, and is educated as a practical-aesthetic teacher, as well as having a bachelor degree within classical vocal performance from the University of Agder.

Lars Kristian is active within ensemble-singing, and has been a member of several choirs, including Kristiansand Cathedral Choir, SKRUK, and Vokal Nord. From 2006 to 2014 he was engaged in Kristiansand Soloist Ensemble. He has also been a part of several opera productions at Kilden in Kristiansand, both as a soloist and a member of the company.

Lars Kristian started conducting choirs alongside his studies, and has worked with several, both children and adult, choirs since then. Kristiansand Chamber and Opera choir and Søm Church Choir are two choirs that have meant a lot to him. He has also worked with Micklegate Singers in York and Agder Symphony Orchestra, and has worked as choir and singing-teacher at Skien Upper Secondary School.