Rickey Hauʻoli Badua is recognized globally as an educator and conductor driven by a passionate belief in the unifying power of music-making in the wind band community. Dr. Badua is the Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Pomona) in Pomona, CA. He conducts the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds, teaches beginning and instrumental conducting, mentors and advises music majors, and oversees all aspects of the wind studies program.
Dr. Badua is a champion of new wind band repertoire, most recently commissioning E Ala Ē: Arise and Awaken by award winning composer James M. David, which evokes the spirit of Badua’s native state while elegantly paying homage to Native Hawaiian musical traditions. In addition to leading the California Wind Band Consortium and the Pacific Rim Chamber Wind Ensemble Consortium, Badua has fervently supported new music as a member of over 44 commissioning consortiums.
Dr. Badua is active as a conference lecturer throughout the U.S. and abroad, having presented at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic, Oxford Conducting Institute, International Society for Research & Promotion of Wind Music, College Band Directors National Conference, California All-State Music Educators Conference, Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, and the National Association for Music Education-Northwest Division Conference. As a conductor and clinician, he has brought his energy and expertise on the podium to hundreds of programs throughout California and beyond. Notable achievements include performing at the 2024 Western/Northwestern College Band Directors National Association Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the Cal Poly Pomona University Wind Ensemble. Additionally, he has conducted the Southern California Schools Symphonic Honor Band, the Washington All-State Wind Symphony, and served as one of the first American conductors to guest conduct the Admiralty Navy Band of St. Petersburg, Russia.
Following the award of a special grant from the California State University Chancellor, Dr. Badua traveled to Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo to study global wind band developments through extensive observation and personal interviews. In addition to this ethnographic research conducted at secondary and collegiate institutions, Rickey is deeply passionate about exploring community wind bands, particularly those that bring together musicians from diverse backgrounds. Invigorated by cultural exchange, he has continued his exploration of wind band programs with numerous guest conducting engagements with established programs in Australia, Costa Rica, Hawaiʻi, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain and Thailand. Through his research and guest conducting engagements, Badua has forged and fostered a rich network of international collaborations.
Early in his career, Badua taught public school as Director of Bands and Arts Department Chair at Peninsula High School and was the Music Coordinator of the Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington. Dr. Badua led the development of a comprehensive band program which included Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Color Guard and Winter Guard. During his tenure, he raised the standard of excellence, leading each ensemble to consistently receive “Superior” ratings at festivals and regional contests, most notably the Wind Ensemble’s featured performance at the National Association for Music Education Conference-Northwest in Bellevue, WA.
Prior to his appointment at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Dr. Badua earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Georgia where he studied with Dr. John P. Lynch. While at UGA, Rickey was the recipient of the Director’s Excellence award and the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant award. Dr. Badua earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Puget Sound and received an honorary fellowship to then complete his Master of Arts in Teaching degree as a conducting student of Dr. Robert Taylor.
Dr. Badua is also a co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of Aloha Music, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing music education in Hawaii through advocacy, research, and public performance. He envisions a future where every keiki in Hawaii has access to high-quality, culturally relevant music education that uplifts communities and strengthens identity.
Rickey was born on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and travels home to visit family and body surf the waves as often as possible. When not traversing the globe making music, he resides in Pasadena, CA. You can find him on quiet evenings at home creating delicious meals in his collection of cast iron cookware.
