Riley Zimmermann currently holds the position of Acting Principal Bass of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. A Pennsylvania native, he has degrees from Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University.

As a performer Riley has appeared with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, New World Symphony, Canton Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh. No stranger to other styles of music, Riley spent much of his 20s playing with touring bluegrass and folk bands. In 2019 he won 1st place in the Orchestral Division competition at the International Society of Bassists convention in Bloomington, IN.

Riley has done a lot of different kinds of teaching in a lot of different places: elementary orchestra, university, and a private studio of bassists and cellists. Some of his favorite teaching, however, has been working with students and faculty at Bass Works. Currently serving on the faculty, Riley has worked with Bass Works since 2019 (starting as an intern!).

When not playing in orchestras, Riley enjoys hobbies such as attending live shows, cooking, learning fiddle tunes, playing the banjo (poorly), and watching terrible reality shows with his wife. He is married to bassist Emily Tarantino, who is an associate musician in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Principal Bass of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. Together they have two cats, Matilda and Rusalka, and one gecko, Reptar.