Bradford (BJ) Yamamoto Jr. is an education leader, researcher, and nonprofit executive dedicated to ensuring high-quality arts and music education becomes a basic standard for every student. He is currently a PhD student in Education at Claremont Graduate University, focusing on K–12 education and equity, with a research focus on music education policy and workforce development in Hawaiʻi.

BJ’s journey began in the public schools of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, where school music programs gave him a sense of belonging, discipline, and purpose. He later taught general music, band, and orchestra in Hawaiʻi public schools, serving students from kindergarten through high school. In these roles, he designed curricula, led ensembles, secured program funding, and supported classroom teachers through professional development. Those early classroom experiences continue to influence his student-centered approach to teaching and leadership, which balances research-based learning with real-world application.

BJ holds a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and an MA in Public Policy with a focus on Education Policy from Claremont Graduate University. His research explores how policy networks, social capital, and state-level decisions influence access to arts education and how these opportunities connect to workforce development and community well-being. He is the coauthor of a peer-reviewed case study on teachers’ beliefs about music education and regularly engages in mixed-methods research, data analysis, and policy evaluation.

As President and CEO of Aloha Music, a nonprofit organization based in Hawaiʻi, BJ leads efforts to celebrate and elevate school music programs across the state. He oversees strategic planning, partnerships, and fundraising for initiatives that offer performance opportunities, increase access for students across all islands, and emphasize the economic and cultural importance of music education. His nonprofit work builds on more than ten years of leadership experience in arts education programming, festival management, and community-based initiatives.

In addition to his nonprofit leadership and research, BJ has a background in technology, design, and consulting. Through his work with schools, nonprofits, and small businesses, he has helped organizations modernize websites, streamline operations, and utilize data more effectively. This combination of policy expertise, classroom experience, and practical problem-solving informs his teaching in political science, public policy, and nonprofit management, where he emphasizes active learning, applied projects, and mentoring students as emerging professionals.

Rooted in his Hawaiʻi roots and personal experience, BJ’s work is driven by a simple philosophy: thriving, not just surviving, should be the baseline. Whether he is conducting research, teaching a course, or developing a new program, he focuses on creating pathways that enable students and communities to thrive through education and the arts.