Dr Mykaell Riley, Senior Lecturer, Director for the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU) and Principal Investigator for Bass Culture Research at Westminster, has been awarded the prestigious fellowship of Rockschool RSL, the highest honour bestowed by the organisation. This recognition celebrates his contributions to music education and the creative industries since joining Westminster in 1994, following an invitation from RSL Awards Founder Norton York.
Rockschool RSL is a UK-based international awarding body that pioneered graded music exams for contemporary music. Established in 1991, it introduced the world's first graded exams for instruments like guitar, bass and drums, focusing on popular music genres. Over the years, Rockschool RSL has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of qualifications in music, performing arts and digital media, catering to both classical and contemporary disciplines. These qualifications are designed to be academically rigorous and industry-relevant, supporting learners from beginner to advanced levels.
Norton York, who extended the original invitation to Dr Mykaell Riley to join Westminster, has been a pioneer in music education himself. York is known for creating several innovations including establishing the first Commercial Music degree at the University and developing the first set of graded exams for rock guitar, drums and bass guitar with Rockschool (RSL Awards) in 1991.
York's recognition of Dr Mykaell Riley's transformative influence on music education and the creative industries reflects the University's ongoing commitment to innovative approaches in preparing students for successful careers in music and related fields.
Dr Mykaell Riley's recent accomplishments include the Beyond the Bassline exhibition and his role as Music Director for the BBC hit series Boarders, a project that has generated 35 IMDb credits for Westminster Music students who worked on the soundtrack. This collaborative effort is scheduled for release by Warner Music on 2 May, providing the students with invaluable industry experience and professional recognition. Additionally, his research and advocacy through the Bass Culture project, the first major study of the impact of Black British music, has informed both curriculum development and public discourse around Black British cultural history.
About the Fellowship, Dr Mykaell Riley said: “Being awarded the RSL Fellowship is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. Since joining the University of Westminster in 1994, I have been committed to creating authentic bridges between academia and the music industry. Seeing our students gain real-world credits on productions like Boarders exemplifies what is possible when we break down traditional educational barriers.”
This Fellowship directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the BMRU at Westminster.
