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Riley is a multidisciplinary and classically trained multiracial Asian American artist who has performed nationally and internationally as a guest artist at the Nervi Festival in Italy, performing YAGP ensemble pieces including “Maestro” choreographed by Maria Konrad, and ensemble performances for YAGP of Grand Defile, Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow, and The YGP 25th Anniversary Gala, at the David H. Koch Theater in New York and the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa, Florida.  She performed the lead role of “Little Alice” in Rolando Yates’ production of Alice in Wonderland, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, for the Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, under Artistic Director Micheal Pink. She was also chosen as a gala solo artist for Icon Dance Awards, and had a lead role in the film “Imagine: Pivot and Soar”, made for Illinois Dance Educators Association, promoting the social and mental health, and well being, of school age children in and around the Chicago area Public Schools, in collaboration with, Trifecta Dance Collective for their 2021 Film Series, and “Handprint on My Heart”, Elisa Odegard’s children’s book “IMAGINE” based on SEL (Social Emotional Learning) based movement curriculum. 

 

Riley has placed first at UBC, and  first, second, third at YAGP, in classical and contemporary categories, and received finals invitations for multiple years, where she has performed original contemporary choreography by Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Artistic Director of Oklahoma City Ballet, in solo competition. 

As an arts advocate, Riley has a focus with intent on socially conscious work using the art of dance and choreography to reveal truths, promote inclusivity in practice and teaching, and expand the art of dance to be accessible, multidisciplinary, and inclusive. 

 

She has performed in ensemble pieces with Chicago Misericordia’s Heartbreakers in a Movement for Change Benefit, and for local senior and aging communities, for veterans in the Honors Project, for the unhoused and hungry, and has mentored, taught, and volunteered for Special Gifts Theater.  She has Cecchetti certification from Cecchetti Council of America and has also assistant taught through the Dance and Music Academy’s Sparks program, and for other local programs. 

 

Riley has trained in multiple genres, from ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, and silks/aerial dance. Her training includes the previous 2 years in a pre-professional program that primarily focused on Vaganova at Illinois Classical Ballet, as well as academy and pre-professional  programs for the academic year and/or summers at Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, American Ballet Theater, Ballet West, Dance and Music Academy, Joel Hall, Gus Giordano, Aerial Dance Chicago, and Visceral Dance; with acceptance and/or scholarships into School of American Ballet, John Cranko Ballet Schule, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Ballet Hispanico, Oklahoma City Ballet, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, and Annarella Sanchez Ballet School Portugal; and conventions and workshops, including Alvin Alley at Lincoln Center Plaza in New York, Julliard in CODA, St. Louis, and NYCDA workshops taught by various industry professionals.

 

Receiving invitations as guest artist for Finals, Galas, and Festivals through YAGP and other competitions or workshops/conventions, Riley took master classes, workshops, and/or private lessons with Stella Abrerra, Tadeusz Matacz, Runqiao Du, Misha Tchoupakov, Alexei Moskalenko, Racheal Nye, Desmond Richardson, and had the privilege of sharing the stage with celebrated and renowned artist and choreographers, Natalia Osipova, Maria Khoreva, Ohad Naharin, Sahara Binyamini, Margot Fonteyn, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, and ImCarla Fracci, Elizabeth Bayer and others. 

 

Most recently Riley made the shortlist and was invited to audition for the role of Clara/Ellie for the Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes.