As composers and accomplished classical guitarists, Michael Dadap and Florante Aguilar float freely across musical idioms, drawing on an array of sounds from indigenous music to orchestral works. Both classically-trained, Dadap and Aguilar are deeply rooted in the folkloric traditions of the Philippines, capturing the attention of international audiences with their dynamic ensemble playing. Their compositions and arrangements for guitar reflect the culmination of influences - from both their homeland and the western classical tradition.

Florante Aguilar (Classical Guitarist)
Florante Aguilar is one the leading figures championing Philippine music in the US and international markets today. He popularizes Philippine music through the medium of film, recordings and concerts. His arrangements and compositions successfully craft the balance between respect and redefinition of a tradition. As a composer, Aguilar uses Philippine motifs in a modern context. His constant search for a tradition-based contemporary sound led him to champion harana – songs used in the now-vanished Filipino ritual of serenading, and the subject of the award-winning documentary Harana. Aguilar is a recipient of National Endowment for the Arts, and Gerbode Composition Awards.

Michael Dadap (Classical Guitarist)
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 the University of the Philippines; 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. Dadap has recorded six guitar albums and travels annually to the Philippines to concertize and give workshops on Philippine rondalla music. Since his successful Carnegie Hall debut in 1974, Mr. Dadap continues to concertize in the US, Europe, and Asia.