Riley graduated with his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where he studied with former Seattle Symphony trombonist and renowned pedagogue Peter Ellefson. Prior to IU, Riley received his Associate of Arts in Music at Clark College where he studied with Dr. Donald L. Appert. He utilizes his extensive studies and professional training while teaching, but the core of his teaching is more individualized, using his student’s preexisting musical and artistic inspirations to fuel their musicianship, aiming to make it as expressive and fulfilling as possible.