Rising Stars: Meet Riley Bryson of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Bryson.

Riley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my dance journey at a small recreational dance ministry in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Ironically, I only started dancing because it was the only studio willing to welcome my sibling, who has sensory needs. More than 20 years ago, there were far fewer accessible dance programs in our area, and that one decision unexpectedly changed the course of my life.

I quickly fell in love with dance and eagerly enrolled in every class I could. Eventually, I joined a pre-professional ballet company, where I had the privilege of performing soloist and principal roles. After graduating high school, I continued my training in the trainee program with Nashville Ballet. It was there that I was first introduced to contemporary ballet, which opened the door to attending workshops and summer training with LINES Ballet in San Francisco on scholarship.

When I returned to Atlanta to pursue a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Business Administration, I began immersing myself in the greater Atlanta and Gwinnett dance community through freelance performance and collaboration. I also was Vice President of the Student Dance Association at my college. Go Grizzlies!

During that time, I had the honor of developing and presenting an original work for Katherine Gant’s 3 Contemporary Dance Project at Refuge Dance. In collaboration with a close friend, I created a piece exploring themes of displacement, journey, and the search for what “home” truly means, based on her own family’s history. That creative process brought together a community of artists who would eventually become the early foundation of Gwinnett Dance Project, the nonprofit collective I spearhead. Though the organization has evolved over the years, its heart remains the same: cultivating meaningful artistic experiences and fostering community through dance.

Along the way, I also began performing with Praise in Motion and spent six years teaching at En Pointe School of Dance. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bluebird Uncaged, Dance Canvas’ Palate Project, Avoda Dance Company, Fulton County’s Dance in the Round, & Spring for Spring Dance Festival. I get to lead seminars in dance health & wellness, injury prevention, choreography & composition, and more. Through relationships and personal connections, God led me to Artios Academies of Sugar Hill, where I now coordinate the Dance Department. In this role, I have the privilege of combining my passions for teaching, administration, mentorship, and discipleship into one vocation.

I am incredibly grateful for the unique path God has written for my life and the opportunities He has placed before me – including, perhaps most unexpectedly, getting to teach high school Biology once a week, which has become my favorite party trick!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say the journey has been a smooth one, though I recognize the many blessings that have made it possible for me to do what I do today. From the financial sacrifices and support of my family during my early training to the encouragement and wisdom of mentors who believed in me, I have never walked this path alone. We didn’t have much growing up, but my parents poured every ounce they had into us.

Like many artists, I’ve learned that the greatest battles are often internal. Over the years, I’ve experienced significant healing from an eating disorder that consumed nearly a decade of my life. I have been learning to separate my worth and value from what other people think and perceive, or what I can produce. That journey has deepened my compassion for others and reminded me that our identity and worth extend far beyond our performance or achievements.

I’ve also come to deeply value relationships. Learning to work alongside people with different personalities, perspectives, and experiences has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Doing life with other people has shaped not only the artist I have become, but the teacher, leader, and person I continue to grow into.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One of the most rewarding opportunities I’ve had is studying the science behind dance. My background in Exercise Science, along with undergraduate research under Dr. Joshua Wludyga which focused on adolescent dancers, has given me a unique perspective on the art form that I love sharing with the next generation. I am passionate about developing “well” dancers: artists who pursue excellence with discipline and resilience while also understanding how to care for their bodies. I want my students to know how to work hard, grow intentionally, and chase ambitious goals without sacrificing their long-term health through burnout, chronic fatigue, or preventable injury.

I also genuinely enjoy public speaking and have had the opportunity to lead seminars, workshops, and teacher trainings for both students and adults over the years. Whether I’m teaching in a classroom, speaking at a workshop, or leading professional development, I love taking complex ideas and making them engaging, practical, and accessible.

Organization is another strength of mine, and perhaps one of my most recognizable qualities. Colleagues have even gifted me coffee tumblers that say, “Don’t worry, I have a spreadsheet for that!” I love creating systems that help people succeed, whether that’s through curriculum design, project management, or planning large-scale performances and events.

Looking back, I can clearly see the influence of my parents on who I have become. My dad is incredibly creative and has always encouraged me to think outside the box, while my mom is exceptionally detail-oriented and one of the most thoughtful communicators I know. I like to think I’ve inherited a little of both of their strengths: a love for dreaming big, paired with a passion for bringing those ideas to life with intentionality and excellence.

How do you think about luck?
This is an interesting question. Honestly, I don’t put much stock in luck. Instead, I believe opportunity is more often created through investment than chance. That being said, I do recognize that there are often external factors that are outside our control.

I’ve always appreciated the saying, “Equality is everyone getting the same thing. Equity is everyone getting what they need to be successful.” I grew with with a front-row seat to the reality that people don’t all begin from the same starting line. Because of that, I’ve become passionate about creating environments where people have access to the tools, encouragement, and support they need to thrive.

When I reflect on my own journey, I see the investment of others. My extended family sacrificed financially so I could train. Mentors gave their time, wisdom, and encouragement. Teachers challenged me, opened doors, and believed in my potential long before I fully believed in myself. Those investments shaped the person I am today.

That perspective has also influenced the way I teach and lead. Whether I’m working with a young dancer, mentoring a high schooler, or coordinating a department, I want to be someone who invests in people. I can’t guarantee anyone’s success, but I can strive to remove unnecessary barriers, create opportunities, and equip others with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to flourish.

If there’s any legacy I hope to leave, it’s that I used the opportunities others invested in me to invest in the next generation and to lead with humility.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riley.cooper.atl/