Greggles,
I know this will shock you, but it is very sincere! This is how a professional would cut the tree. When? Right away, today. That much all at once? Yes!
Azaleas are the most backbudding trees. As long as you leave the rootball alone the tree will respond with dozens of new buds within three weeks. In six weeks it will look like a little tree already. Then you cut out everything tht does not look like you like it. In three to five years you wil have a cute little azalea.
If you read the books they will tell you all sorts of times to do something or not to do it. This dose not apply for this tree. It only aplies if you want flowers. You don't want flowers within the next five years. If you wna some, buy yourself another azela which is not meant to become a bonsai.
best regards
Walter Pall
http://walter-pall.de