Michael Dadap, born in Hinunangan, Leyte to a family of musicians. In 1971, he came to New York to study at Mannes College of Music, and studied composition and conducting at the Julliard School of Music. His successful Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1974 was followed by extensive concert tours in the United States, Europe, and the Far East.

He is the Artistic/Music Director, and principal conductor of the Children's Orchestra Society (COS) in New York since 1984. His busy schedule does not hinder his passion for the classical guitar. Mr. Dadap regularly gives solo and chamber music concerts with the Dadap-Ma Duo. As an ensemble, they have performed extensively in the United States, Asia, and Europe.

His album, "Intimate Guitar Classics" for solo guitar was the featured album in February 1990 on the New York Times classical radio station, WQXR. As a composer, Mr. Dadap has won the Asian-American Alliance for the Arts Award for his work, "Handurawan Dance Suite," premiered in 1988 by the Brooklyn Philharmonic's Chamber Orchestra. Other works include his Five Visayan Serenades for Guitar, a children's musical play, Alamat Ng Ampalaya (Legend of the Bitter Melon) a full-length folkloric ballet, “Legend of Tikling Bird” and his book, “Complete Method for the Virtuoso Bandurria”.

Mr. Dadap is a strong advocate of Filipino folk music and one of the pioneers in building world-class rondalla ensembles here in the United States. He is the founding music director of the world touting Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston Massachusetts.

As conductor Michael Dadap has worked, collaborated, and conducted some of the world's finest artists and soloists including, Violinists Jaime Laredo, Cho-Liang Lin, Sarah Chang, Soovin Kim, pianists Cecil Licad, Emmanuel Ax, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Hai-Yi Ni, and Sharon Robinson.

In December 2000, Michael Dadap became the first recipient of the "2000 Artist of the Year Award" sponsored by the Flushing Council on the Arts in Queens.”

On December 7, 2006, Mr. Dadap received from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, (in recognition of his remarkable achievements as a Virtuoso musician, composer and music teacher, proponent of Philippine traditional music and promoting Philippine culture and causes through his work), the 2006 “Pamana Ng Lahi” Presidential Award in Malacanang Palace.

Mr. Dadap resides in Queens, New York with his wife, Yeou-Cheng Ma. They have two children, Daniel and Laura.