Until Fall 2009, he served as Professor of Trumpet and Artist in Residence at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
While studying at the University of North Texas, Candelaria was a member of the world-famous One O'clock Lab Band.
Also, a number of Candelaria's former students have been successful in service bands, while others have achieved winning status in prominent national and international competitions.
Today, he continues to be a member of the ITG Board of Directors and is Chair of the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition.
In November 2004, Candelaria organized and coordinated the Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Solo Competition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, an event which was co-sponsored by ITG and the Columbus Foundation.