Classical guitarist Micheal Dadap flew to Manila from New York to receive the Pamana ng Pilipino award from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
But when he realized that he had one day to spare, Dadap flew to Dumaguete and held a mini-concert at the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall last December 5.
The concert, which was realized upon the invitation of BOT Chairperson Dean Sinco, and arranged through the MetroPost, gathered members of the Dumaguete community, as well as students from Foundation University.
Among the pieces he performed were Prelude 1 by Heitor Villa-lobos, Lagrima by Francisco Tarrega, Junto a tu Corazon Una Limosna-Valse Junto by Agustine Barrios.
Dadap’s passion is to develop the talents of young children by introducing them to programs which will motivate them to learn and play more challenging pieces. These programs include solfege and ear training for the very young. The beginners are introduced to chamber music.
While he obtained his college degree in Philosophy from the University of the Philippines, Dadap’s interest in music inspired him to master the classical guitar.
He studied at the Juilliard School in Manhattan, New York, and later launched his career as a classical guitarist with his debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York.
Dadap is also the artistic/musical director and conductor for the Children’s Orchestra Society in the US.
Dadap and his wife Yeou-Cheng Ma, who have performed in numerous concerts in Asia and Europe, belong to families of musicians.
Yeou-Cheng Ma, a violinist who sometimes works as a pediatrician, is a sister of another critically-acclaimed musician, cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Dadap won the Asian-American Alliance for the Arts Award with his composition Handurawan Dance Suite which was premiered by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble in 1988.
In February 1990, his album was featured as Album of the Month on WQXR, which includes his recordings Lambingan, Himig ng Pasko, Serenad-es for Guitar, Songs of the Visayans for Guitar & Voice, and Intimate Guitar Classics.
By year 2000, Dadap was named as the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts Artist of the Year.
After the performance the audience was given enough time to ask Dadap questions regarding his being an artist, which he keenly answered.
Dadap encouraged those who want to excel in music to set the time to harness their talents.
Dadap will be back in Dumaguete in Febrary 2007 as a workshop facilitator during the International Rondalla Festival. He will also launch the 4th edition of The Virtuoso Bandurria Basic Method for the Bandurria as a Solo Instrument (published by UniTown Publishing House).
28 Dec 2006 by OSLEA
