Riley is actively engaged in educational initiatives,
founding the Joye in Aiken Jazz Camp in 2021, directing the Summer Advanced Institute at Seattle JazzEd from 2017-2019, and serving as an ambassador for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Jazz for Young People” program in New York and St. Louis from 2016 – 2018. Riley is also a faculty member of The College of Performing Arts at The New School in New York, NY.
Riley is currently touring two interactive educational offerings: Riffin’ with Riley, which premiered at the Caramoor Jazz Festival in 2016 for ages 1-10, and A Recipe For Jazz, which premiered at the Joye of Aiken Festival in 2018 for grades K-8. Riley is also available for high school and college masterclass bookings.
“Riley’s expertise and energy bring life to the classroom and make jazz relevant to our students. His professional demeanor, as well as his generous and joyful spirit, make him a delight to work with. We consider him essential to our jazz curriculum, and we bring him back year after year.”
Please contact booking@rileymulherkar.com for all educational outreach inquiries.
A Recipe For Jazz
A high-octane interactive performance guiding students grades K-8 through the ingredients of jazz music: swing, improvisation, and the blues. Heroes including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith are illuminated alongside lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and freedom as Riley leads the audience through a feel-good journey in jazz.
“It’s hard to describe the impact of Riley’s outreach events unless you can see the hundreds of eager hands shooting up at our Kidz Bop concerts, or hear the deafening sound made by hundreds of excited kids stamping their feet to the music and shouting “jazz, jazz, jazz!” These are mostly kids who’ve never been in an auditorium before. I really believe that the outreach Riley has conducted for us over the years has opened a whole new world of learning to these kids, and probably created a whole new generation of jazz fans in the process.”
Riffin’ with Riley
An introduction to the feeling of jazz! In this interactive concert for children ages 1-10, Riley introduces the instruments of the band as they come together to create the groove that makes you move: swing. Get ready to tap your feet, snap your fingers, and have a good time as Riley starts riffin’!
“Riffin’ with Riley is an engaging and informative performance that captivates children and their parents alike. I’ve presented it many times over the years and have been continually inspired by the way Riley makes jazz accessible and fun for our youngest arts patrons.”