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The National Federation of Filipino American Associations, (NaFFAA) Central Region presents "Festiva Asiana," a wonderful concert which was held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA), Stage Theater on June 29th.

The Young Symphonic Ensemble is a group of about 50 young musicians of various ethnic backgrounds, from the New York metropolitan area. They range in age from 10 to 18 years old. Most recently they performed their Ninth Annual Discovery Concert to a sold out audience in the Alice Tully
Hall at Lincoln Center. They are the most advanced students of the Children's Orchestra Society (COS), which has toured in the US, Europe and Asia, performing the most challenging symphonic masterpieces.

COS is one first children orchestras, founded in 1962 by Dr. H.T. Ma, the father of the illustrious cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One of the adult cellists is none other than Yo-Yo's sister and the school's Executive Director, Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma. Dr. Ma is no stranger to Denver as she performed with Denver Symphony Orchestra when she was eleven in the winter of 1962, under the baton of Saul Caston.

Dr. Ma and her husband--conductor, classical guitarist and composer--Michael Dadap have continued the traditional excellence set by Dr. H.T. Ma. Michael was born and raised in the Philippines from a musical family of 14 children. After graduating from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, he pursued his formal studies in music at the Mannes School of Music and Julliard where he distinguished himself as a classical guitarist.

This group was featured at the Asian Pacific American Times, www.apatimes.com issue of June 2003, page 15.

http://www.childrensorchestra.org/index.htm