Rickey H. Badua is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and teaches beginning and instrumental conducting, while overseeing all aspects of the winds studies program.

Prior to his appointment at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Dr. Badua received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting degree from the University of Georgia where he studied with Dr. John P. Lynch. His dissertation titled, "The Maverick: An Analytical Study of Carter Pann's Symphony for Winds: My Brother's Brain (2014)" investigates the wind band music of Pulitzer finalist and Grammy-nominated composter Carter Pann through an extensive study of his most prolific work for a large ensemble. Dr. Badua was also the recipient of the Director's Excellence and Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant award.

Dr. Badua's scholarship achievements involve championing new wind band repertoire as founder of the California Wind Band Consortium and Pacific Rim Chamber Wind Ensemble Consortium commissioning projects. In addition, his research interests include studying the globalization of the wind band medium with his most current research project exploring the wind band developments of Australia and Asia.

Dr. Badua is active as a presenter and guest conductor throughout the United States and abroad, including appearances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Oxford Conducting Institute, International Society for Research and Promotion of Wind Music, College Band Directors National Conference, California All-State Music Educators Conference, Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, and the National Association for Music Education-Northwest Division Conference. His most notable engagements include being one of the first American conductors to guest conduct the Admiralty Navy Band of St. Petersburg, Russia, and being selected as finalist for The American Prize in Wind Conducting Competition in 2015. He has also guest conducted in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Russia.

Dr. Badua taught public school as Director of Bands and Arts Department Chair at Peninsula High School and District Music Coordinator of the Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington. Under his leadership, Dr. Badua developed a comprehensive band program, which included a Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Color Guard, and Winter Guard. During his tenure, he raised the standard of excellence where each ensemble consistely received "Superior" ratings at all festivals and contests in the region, most notably, the Wind Ensemble's performance at the 2011 National Association for Music Education Conference-Northwest in Bellevue, Washington.

Dr. Badua earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, where he also received an honorary fellowship to complete his Master of Arts in Teaching degree and was a conducting student of Dr. Robert Taylor. He holds professional memberships with the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), Southern California Schools Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA), College Music Society, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Word Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA).