Riley Butler took tap classes before starting ballet at The Studio School of Classical Ballet at the age of 6.  She danced with Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre in the Petite, Junior and Senior Companies.  She performed in “The Nutcracker” as a Sugar Plum Page, Party Girl, Soldier, Clara, Snowflake, Spanish dancer, Chinese soloist, amongst other roles. While a member of the Senior Company, Riley attended Teacher Training Courses with Diane Cypher, and quickly became a go-to substitute for Pre-Ballet and Primary classes.  She was hired into the faculty to include Level I, and In the spring and summer of 2020 when The Studio switched to Zoom classes, Riley was one of the first instructors to adapt and teach virtually. 

Since graduating from high school, she has volunteered for many Nutcracker productions, helping out backstage and lending her talents to the stage as needed.  Riley began directing rehearsals for several large scenes in "The Nutcracker" for the 2021 production, and she now serves as Children's Ballet Master.  She will also perform as a Party Parent and as Mother Ginger.  Her many gifts include a positive and engaging attitude, while guiding our young dancers to reach their potential.  

Riley attended the prestigious Kapor Center/SMASH program program at Stanford University during the summers of her high school years.  She has held intern positions at First Republic Bank of San Francisco and ILMX Labs at Lucas Films. She is currently studying Sociology and Computer Science.