Michael Dadap

Michael Amper Dadap is a popular Filipino guitarist, composer, and conductor, and an influential advocate of Filipino folk music. He was influential in the creation of a world-class rondalla ensemble in the United States is also the founding music director of the rondalla ensemble of Iskwelahang Pilipino based in Boston, Massachusetts. Early life and training Dadap was born in Barangay Bangcas B Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, on May 19,1944, into a family of musicians, one of the 14 children of Dionesia Amper and Vedasto Dadap. He is the younger brother of Filipino nationalist composer Jerry Amper Dadap. His first exposure to music was at a local Protestant church, where he grew up with the hymns of Handel, Mozart and Beethoven. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1964 from the University of the Philippines, majoring in conduction. In 1971, he went to study composition and conducting at the Mannes College of Music in New York City and three years later made his debut performance at Carnegie Recital Hall. He also toured as a musical performer in other parts of the United States, Europe and the Far East. Career Since 1984, Dadap has been the artistic and musical director and principal co