MICHAEL DADAP

Michael Dadap

Guitar, Conducting, Composition, Principal Conductor, YSE ,ESE

Michael Dadap was born in the Philippines to a family of musicians. His early music interests were as a jazz and folk guitarist before becoming interested in classical guitar. He studied philosophy at theUniversity of the Philippines; and, in 1971 he moved to New York City to study music theory and classical guitar at Mannes College of Music, and composition and conducting at Juilliard. In reviewing COS Young Symphonic Ensemble (YSE) at New York’s Town Hall on May 3, 1993, music and dance critic Bert Wechsler dubbed Michael Dadap a “fine, sensitive musician  who is obviously also a mighty orchestra builder…a teacher. What drives Mr. Dadap’s work is his faith in the children’s capacity to learn and his energy, patience, and special talent in communicating his love for music to the children.”

Mr. Dadap has recorded six CD albums for the classical guitar. His “Intimate Guitar Classics” for solo guitar was the featured album in February 1990 on The New York Times classical radio station, WQXR. Mr. Dadap performs as the Dadap-Ma Duo, in the United States, Asia and Europe. He also travels annually to the Philippines to concertize, teach, and give workshops on Philippine Folk Instruments orchestra called the Rondalla.

Mr. Dadap became the first recipient of the “2000 Artist of the Year Award” sponsored by the Flushing Council on the Arts in Queens. In December 2006, he received the “Philippine Presidential Award” in the Philippines’ Malacanang Palace in recognition of his remarkable achievements as a virtuoso musician, composer, music teacher, proponent of Philippine traditional music, and for promoting Philippine culture and causes through his work. Since his successful Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1974, Mr. Dadap continues to concertize in the United States, Europe, and the Far East.

He resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, COS Executive Director, Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma. Their two children, Daniel and Laura are also accomplished musicians.