Guitarist, Composer & Conductor At The Community Church

This Sunday, March 2 at 9:15 a.m., Michael Dadap will address and play a sampling of his music at the Adult Forum at the Garden City Community Church. Michael 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 and is also the founding music director of the Iskwelahang Rondalla (Rondalla School) of Boston, Massachusetts. He will speak on the Language of Music.

Mr. Dadap's first exposure to music was at a local Protestant church in the Philippines, where he grew up with the hymns of Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. He studied at Mannes College of Music in New York City and at Julliard School of Music where later led to his debut performance at the Carnegie Recital Hall. His successful Carnegie Recital was followed by an extensive concert tours in the United States, Europe and the Far East. As a conductor, he has worked with many well know pianist, violinist, flutist, including the cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Since 1984, Michael Dadap has been the Artistic/Music Director and the principal conductor of the Children's Orchestra Society (COS) in New York. WQXR, the classical radio station of The New York Times featured his classical album, Intimate Guitar Classics, as featured album of the year. He is the recipient of "Asian-American Alliance for Arts Award" for composing "Handurawan Dance Suite", a work that was premiered by the Brooklyn Philharmonic's Chamber Orchestra. He was the first recipient of the 2000 Artist of the Year Award by the Flushing Council on Arts. He was presented with the "Pamana Ng Lahi" Award (Heritage of the People), by the Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the Malacanang Palace, for his remarkable achievement as a Virtuoso musician, composer and music teacher, proponent of Philippine traditional music and for promoting Philippine culture and causes through his work.

His busy schedule does not hinder his passion for classical guitar. Mr. Dadap regularly gives solo and chamber music concert with the Dadap-Ma Duo. He and his wife Yeou Cheng Ma resides in Manhasset with their two children, Laura and Daniel.

The community is invited to attend the forum in the church parlor. Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ and is an Open and Affirming church.. Worship Services are on Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., with church school for children and crib room for infants and toddlers at the later service. Garden City Community Church is located at Stewart Avenue and Whitehall Blvd. For more information call 746-1700 or visit our web site at www.gardencitycommunitychurch.org.