Master Sergeant Michael E Riley

Master Sergeant Michael E. Riley, audio engineer, is a native of the Rochester, NY area.  He began his musical career playing the clarinet.  In high school, he held the position of Concertmaster for the concert band, and also performed on drums in the jazz band.  After graduating, he was selected as Concertmaster for the American Musical Ambassadors European Tour in July of 1984, performing in eight countries. Later that year he became involved with a unique music program at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, performing on clarinet, saxophone, flute, and drums with bands that included hearing- and visually-impaired musicians. In 1987 he was accepted into State University of New York, College at Fredonia's accredited Sound Recording Technology program studying under Ros Ritchie. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1990, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He then worked as a recording engineer and freelance musician in the Rochester area until joining The United States Air Force Academy Band in 1993.  Sergeant Riley has worked with every component group of the band providing live sound reinforcement and recording services, and is credited on over 30 CD and video projects.   Currently, he is the audio engineer for Blue Steel, in addition to being the NCOIC of the band’s Technical Support shop and Recording Productions Coordinator.  His military decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal.