Raymond Bambao

Music Director/Instructor (Instrumental)

RAYMOND BAMBAO, a San Francisco native has been performing professionally in the Bay Area for thirty years. He started his music training on trumpet at El Dorado Elementary and started singing at Visitacion Valley Middle School. Raymond continued singing at El Camino High School (SSF) and started playing trombone in the Jazz Band and Symphonic Band. He received a Classical Scholarship for Voice and went to San Jose State University. He started early Hula and Tahitian dancing with Spirit of Polynesia in the eighties and then danced for Hula Halau O Ku’uleinani in the nineties. 

Here is a short list of Halau he has played for: Na Mele Hula Ohana, Academy of Hawaiian Arts, Te Pura O Te Rahura’a, Ke Ola Loa, Na Hula O Moku’aina, Tiare O Te Ao, and Ke Aka O Polynesia.                                    

He received his B.A. in Improvised Music Studies (Voice) from San Jose State University.   Here is a short list of groups and ensembles he has shared the stage with through his career:  Ka Ehu Kai, Makaha Sons, The Brothers Cazimero, Keali’i Reichel, Willie K, Ho’okena, Na Palapalai, Ledward Ka’apana, Kapena, Ho’onua, Ten Feet, Mark Ho’omalu, Hoku Zuttermeister, Aaron Sala, Mark Yamanaka, Kamakoa Lindsay-Asing, Kapono Nailiili, Chino Montero, Alika Young, Steven Espaniola, Faith Ako, Patrick Landeza, San Francisco Symphony, San Jose Chorale, Vocal Sauce, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Linda Ronstadt, Winston Raval and the Vanishing Tribe, Forte, I- Hotel The Autonomous Region.

He is currently teaching voice, beginning piano, ukulele, guitar, bass, beginning drums, and trombone privately. He also teaches a group Ukulele Class with Ke Aka O Polynesia and private lessons for Spark of Creation Studios in SSF. Playing Music is a big part of his life and sharing the love of music with his students is even bigger.