As choral conductor, his most important training was as a chorister with the North West Youth Choir under the direction of Prof. Awie van Wyk and Ernst Labuschagne. He also sang in the National Youth Choir under the direction of Christian Ashley Botha, Dr. Rudolf de Beer, André van der Merwe, Johann van der Sandt, Jacques Imbrailo, Hubrie Verster, Vaughan van Zyl, Richter Grimbeeck, Michael Dingaan, Louiso Bala, William Silk, Walter Butt and Ralf Schmidt.
Riaan participated in choral conducting master-classes with, amongst others, Dr. Rudolf de Beer (Drakensberg Boy’s Choir/US), André van der Merwe (US), Gerard’d du Toit (KwaZulu Natal Youth Choir), Johann van der Sandt (Drakensberg Boys Choir), Joop Schetz (Netherlands) Prof. Kåre Hanken (Norway), Romäns Vanags (Latvia), Jüri Ruut Kangur (Estonia), Robert Sund, Bengt Ollén (Sweden), Dr. Steve Zegree and Mary Goetze (USA).
Riaan also participated in orchestral conducting master-classes, with amongst others Eric Rycroft, Louis van der Watt, Eric Kayayan, Pienaar Fourie, Lykele Temmingh, Joop Schets (The Netherlands) Ricardo Colima (Italy), Charles Dutoit (France) and John Mitchell (Australia).
He has been involved with various choirs as member, soloist or conductor during the past 15 years.
From 1997 until present, he conducted various Symphonic Youth Wind Orchestras, Chamber- and Symphony Orchestras. He also appeared as guest conductor with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra (JSO) and the National Chamber Orchestra (NCO).
From 1997 to 2004 Riaan conducted the Klerksdorp High School Choir, Potchefstroom Gimnasium High School Choir, Wolmaransstad High School Choir, Wolmaransstad High School Wind Orchestra, DRC Ottosdal South Choir, Ottosdal Primary School Choirs, Ottosdal United Reformed Church Choir, Letsopa Community Choir, Ottosdal Chamber Choir and DRC Ottosdal Ad Hoc Chamber Orchestra. He acted as répétiteur, accompanist or guest conductor for the North West Youth Choir, the North West Wind Orchestra, Centurion Chamber Choir, National Youth Choir and KwaZulu Natal Youth Choir and various soloists.
During 2005 he conducted the Mixed and Girls Choir of Centurion High School, Centurion Youthoir, Centurion Children’s Choir and acted as Musical Director for the Centurion Choir Academy
During 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 he was elected to the Executive Board of the South African Choral Society and acts as the Managing Director of the Gauteng SACS Branch. He was given the responsibility for arranging the McLachlan International Choral Workshops for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 and the SACS Annual Choral Awards.
