At just 15 years old, Riley Zeitler is already making a name for herself in the world of competitive dance. A sophomore at Bellevue High School, Riley has managed to juggle a full academic load with an intense dance schedule, and somehow make it look effortless. From performing in local and regional competitions, to touring nationally after winning the prestigious Radix National Elite Protégé title, her journey has been incredible. 

Riley’s love for dance started at just two years old. What began as a fun after-school activity quickly turned into something much more serious. Her talent was apparent right from the start, with teachers consistently recognizing her ability to pick up choreography quickly and bring emotion to every move. Even in her early days as a young dancer, Riley was noticed for her impeccable musicality and presence, as well as her athletic strength, allowing her to shine in her ability to tell a story and really connect with the audience. 

On average, Riley trains about 30 to 35 hours a week when you combine all her weekly commitments with traveling on the weekends for convention classes and competition. She currently does the majority of her training at Westlake Dance Center where she is under the direction of Kirsten Cooper. She also trains with other notable hip hop/jazz funk and contemporary teachers in the community such as Pat O’Mahony and Lauren Reins. Riley also takes the time to add extra training into her busy schedule, and that can typically include working with her choreographers and mentors, Courtney Schwartz and Ashley Hyde, as well as focusing on her technique and flexibility with additional ballet, Gyrotonics, and stretching lessons. 

Along with Riley’s own personal training she has started to work with younger dancers to refine their movement and develop their own unique voices through dance. She finds so much joy working with these artists and seeing them push their limits, just as she strives to do every time she steps into the studio. 

One of the most defining moments in Riley’s dance career so far was being named a National Radix Elite Protégé. That title isn’t just handed out. It goes to dancers who stand out in performance, technique, and overall presence. Riley earned it through a highly competitive audition process, standing out among thousands of dancers from across the country to be named the winner in her age division. She has attended Radix dance convention since she was 9 years old, so to win their national title was a major accomplishment and has opened up a whole new world and network of opportunities. In a recent interview, Riley shared how much hard work went into getting there. There were many moments of disappointment, long days, tons of rehearsals, and countless times where she doubted herself, but she stuck with it with the support of her teachers, mentors, and family. In her recent interview she talked about how important it is to be consistent with your training, to take every opportunity to learn and grow, to stay versatile, and to stay open-minded. 

Life on Tour 

After earning the Elite Protégé title, Riley has been able to be mentored and trained under the direction of the phenomenal Radix faculty. Each weekend she attends Radix, Riley trains under the direction of world-renowned choreographer and artistic director, Brian Friedman, and the esteemed Radix faculty, who challenge her across all genres of dance while encouraging her to be open to each teacher’s unique style and approach. 

It has been a transformative experience for her in many ways--fast-paced, exciting, and truly pushing her limits to achieve more than what she ever thought possible for herself. Touring has allowed her to grow both as a dancer and person. She has learned how to adapt to new places and people quickly and has seen what it’s like to work in a professional dance environment from behind the scenes. She has also come to understand and appreciate the value of receiving feedback and the importance of staying open and coachable. Additionally, she has also formed close friendships with other dancers from across the country who inspire her tremendously.   

Despite Riley’s jam-packed weekly training schedule, she’s still able to juggle it all and excels in her academics while attending in-person school. That kind of balance isn’t easy, especially with rehearsals, competitions, and travel, but she finds a way to make it work. Her teachers and classmates respect how committed she is, and she’s proof you can go after big dreams without giving up on education. Riley states it helps to stay organized and remember why she’s doing it all in the first place…because she genuinely loves to dance. 

Riley’s not sure exactly where dance will take her, but she knows it’ll always be the main element in her life. Whether that means going on tour with an artist or assisting her dream choreographer, she is open to the endless opportunities this art form can create for her. No matter what, she plans to keep growing and pushing herself. For now she’s focused on learning, staying present, and enjoying the journey. 

This summer, after completing her year as protégé at Radix Nationals, she will be attending intensives and workshops in LA, New York City, and New Mexico, as well as assisting with classes and choreography as much as possible. With everything she’s already accomplished at just 15, it’s very exciting to think about what’s coming next for her.