Santiago Sabado is from Shingle Springs, California. He earned a Master of Music in Instrumental Wind Conducting, a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Trumpet Performance, and his Music Teaching Credential from California State University, Sacramento. While at Sacramento State, he studied trumpet with Gary Dilworth and conducting with Dr. Clay Redfield and Dr. Robert Halseth.
Santiago began his involvement with the Sacramento Mandarins in 2006 as a lead trumpet player and served as Head Drum Major from 2007 through his age-out year in 2009. In 2009, he received the Joe Fong Outstanding Member of the Year Award. After aging out, he joined the instructional staff in 2010 and concluded his tenure in 2015 as Co-Brass Caption Head. In 2017, he founded the Mandarins Leadership Camp and became a board member. From 2020 to 2022, he served as Assistant Corps Director, and from 2020 to 2023, he was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Mandarins Music Academy. He currently serves as the Senior Associate Director for the drum and bugle corps.
Throughout his career, Santiago has taught students at every level, from preschool through college. He is currently the Co-Director of Bands at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California, where he directs jazz ensembles, concert bands, and the marching band. He also serves as the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, a member of the Site Leadership Team, and a teacher induction coach. Previously, he was the Director of Athletic Bands at Sacramento State University from 2018 to 2022. His earlier teaching positions include Ponderosa High School, Camerado Springs Middle School, Buckeye Elementary, Blue Oak Elementary, Mountain Creek Middle School, and Pioneer Elementary.
Santiago is an active member of the California Music Educators Association, Capitol Section, where he has held numerous roles including President, Higher Education Representative, and Collegiate Chapter Advisor. In 2026, he was honored with the Nick Angiulo Music Educator of the Year Award. He founded the Gold Country Jazz Festival in 2014 and currently serves as Music Director for the Jazz and Concert Band sessions of the Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp in El Dorado County.