Performing Art – New York - NYC
Riley graduated the Virginia Commonwealth University Dance and Choreography program in Spring 2016. The program focused heavily on modern and ballet as well as choreography. She also received a minor in English where she spent a lot of time developing her craft as a poet. After graduation she packed her diploma and a bag full of character shoes, tights, and bobby pins and moved to NYC to pursue a career in dance. Soon after, Riley found herself interning as the administrative assistant to the artistic director of LEIMAY while simultaneously working as a workstudy at the MUSE, BK where she now trains serialism with notable teachers Rebecca Fey and Ivory Fox, amongst many others. She now trains aerialism with a focus on silks and lyra.
Currently, Riley is dancing professionally and performing work with Open Dance Ensemble, Reaction, and Segarra Dance Theater Projects. Past credits include her time with Vanessa Long Dance Company and Wollschlager Bungee Dance Projects. Her recent choreographic works include Habits and Co. performed at Mark Morris in NACHMO2018 and at the Tank Theater, as well as her work in “Evolve” at the MUSE, BK where she performed a debut of her solo work, When I Find Myself Walking. Other notable works include Fallacy* and Prey, Don’t Love Me performed at the Grace Street Theater, Richmond. Notable choreographers she has worked for include Doug Varone, Jacob Spallino, and Scott Putman. In the past, Riley has performed at the 92nd Street Y with Doug Varone’s Company, on Season 6 of “America’s Got Talent” with West Springfield Dance Team, and worked as a swing and lead singer/dancer at Kings Dominion in Street Beats and Karaoke SuperStars. In her time with the Troubadours, a Richmond local musical theater company, Riley starred as Maria in West Side Story and as Nellie in South Pacific. She has also served as a choreographer and performer in musicals such as Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, and Guys and Dolls.