About
Ben began his musical studies on the guitar at age thirteen, and soon after developed an enduring passion for the guitar and its music. After being homeschooled for the entirety of his school years, Ben attended Berklee College of Music’s Master Guitar Certificate Program. During his time at Berklee, Ben attended courses in jazz, blues, and rock guitar, music theory, and music business.
Upon completion of his studies at Berklee, Ben studied classical guitar with Professor Glenn Sparks at Nyack College from 2014 – 2018, where he received further instruction in music theory, music history, orchestration, conducting, and music pedagogy. Ben graduated from Nyack College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance, Summa Cum Laude.
In 2019, Ben began his graduate studies in music at Hunter College – CUNY. During his studies at Hunter College, Ben attended courses in a wide variety of musical disciplines, including music theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, orchestration, musicianship, style criticism, philosophies of musical identity, and research techniques. His masters thesis, titled “Lost in Translation? A Comparison of the Anna Magdalena Bach Manuscript and John W. Duarte Arrangement of Cello Suite No. 3, BWV 1009 by Johann Sebastian Bach” is the first study of its kind to specifically compare the Anna Magdalena Bach manuscript of BWV 1009 with John W. Duarte’s guitar arrangement of the same work. Ben graduated from Hunter College in 2021 with a Master of Arts in Music Theory.
This passion and dedication to the craft has resulted in performances of his signature blend of folk-rock and classical guitar music at numerous venues throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Listen:
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/benjaminnriley
Performances:
Frequent Performer at Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market (2018 – present)
A Virtual Concert with Guitarist and Singer/Songwriter Ben Riley. Rockland County Music Teachers Guild (April 2021)
Renaissance: A Time For Renewal. Valley Cottage Library Virtual Program Video Commission (April 2020) http://guides.rcls.org/homeworking/benriley
Featured Performer at Valley Cottage Library, Valley Cottage NY (June 2019)
Frequent Performer at Piermont Farmers Market (2019 – 2020)
Frequent Performer at St. Thomas Concert Series, Nyack NY (2018 – 2020)
Frequent Performer at The OUTSIDE IN, Piermont NY (2018 – 2020)
Frequent Performer at The Art Café, Nyack NY (2015 – 2020)
Frequent Performer at River Vale Community Church, River Vale NJ (2016 – 2020)
Frequent Performer at Montvale Evangelical Free Church, Montvale NJ (2017 – 2020)
Featured Performer at Nyack College School of Education Graduation, Nyack NY (2015 – 2018)
Handbell Ensemble and Classical Guitar Performer at the Nyack College Carol and Candlelight Tour (2014 – 2018)