Ho Yeow Sun

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ho Yeow Sun
Chinese name	何耀珊
Pinyin	Hé Yàoshān (Mandarin)
Birth name	Yeow-Sun Ho (何耀珊)
Born	June 2 Singapore
Other name(s)	Sun Ho, He Yao Sun
Occupation	Singer
Genre(s)	Pop Music,Mandarin Pop
Label(s)	Warner Music
Official site	www.heyaosun.com, www.sunmusic-us.com

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Ho (何).

Ho Yeow Sun, better known as Sun Ho, is a Singaporean pop music singer. Sun is married to Reverend Kong Hee and co-founded the City Harvest Church and its community services.^[1] Sun started her Mandarin pop singing career in 2002 and subsequently worked with producers and performers such as Wyclef Jean, Diane Warren, The Underdogs, David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager.^[2]

Contents 1 Musical career 2 Humanitarian work 2.1 2008 Sichuan earthquake 3 Other Endeavours 4 Awards 5 Live Concerts 6 Television performances and broadcasts 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] Musical career

See also: Ho Yeow Sun discography

Sun was the Music Director and worked in City Harvest Church’s Creative Department. She resigned in 2003 to pursue her singing career. ^[3] Sun had a rocky start to her pop artist career; She faced with accusations that her dressing was deemed to be inappropriate for her religious background^[4], and rumors of her using her church's support to aid in album sales.^{[5] [6]} To prevent further controversy, she decided to develop her career outside of Singapore, focusing on China, Taiwan and the US.^[7]

From 2002 to 2007, Sun released a succession of five Mandarin pop albums that have either reached double or triple platinum status.^{[8] [9]} During this five-year period, Sun worked with composers such as Ma Yufen (马毓芬)^[10], the late Ma Zhaojun (马兆骏)^[11], F.I.R.^[12], Milk^[13], Arys Chien (深白色)^[14], Lee Wei Song (李伟菘)^[15] and Tan Han Jin (陈奂仁)^[16]. “Lonely Travel” was ranked #1 on nine top music charts. Her next album “Gain” released in 2006 reached #1 position on 10 top music charts.^[8] In 2007, Sun released “Embrace” which hit #1 on 11 top music charts.^{[8] [17]} Her song, “Starting Point” was used as theme song for Singapore TV series “Turning Point” based on real-life inspirational stories, of which Sun was the host.^[18]

From 2003 to 2006, Sun’s first five English-language releases reached the top of the dance club charts of Billboard Magazine and London-based Music Week, making her the first Asian artist to score successive No. 1 dance hits.^[2]

In 2003, Sun broke into Hollywood with her debut American single “Where Did Love Go,” produced by David Foster and Peter Rafelson.^[19] The song reached #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play “Breakout” Chart in December 2003.^[20] Subsequently, three of her singles, “One With You,” “Without Love” and “Gone” reached #1 positions on the Billboard Dance Chart. “Ends Of The Earth” also joined the abovementioned three singles to reach #1 positions on the UK MusicWeek Chart.^{[21] [22] [23] [24] [25]} Since 2003, Sun has worked with a number of musicians such as Jimmy Harry, Diane Warren, Tony Moran, Chris Cox, Eric Kupper, Jason Nevins, Moto Blanco and the Underdogs.^{[2] [26] [27]}

Sun became the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the Hollywood Film Festival in 2003. The following year, Sun became the only Chinese singer to be invited to the 46th Annual Grammy Awards 2004^[2] and to be an award presenter at the American Dancestar Music Awards 2004. ^[28] In 2007, Sun attended the 2007 MTV Europe Awards, making her the first Asian pop singer to be invited to the awards ceremony.

In 2007, Sun collaborated with writer/producer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean on the track “China Wine.” The music video was directed by Wayne Isham and featured Tony Matterhorn and Elephant Man alongside Wyclef and Sun.^[29] Wyclef was also co-writer and executive producer of Sun’s English album, due for release in 2009.^[2] In 2008, Sun was featured in an opening spot on Wyclef’s American and Canadian concert tour, and invited to appear in his music video “Fast Car,” featuring his duet with Paul Simon.^[30] She also performed “China Wine” with Wyclef at the SonyBMG Europe Music Awards After Party.

Songwriter Diane Warren also composed the song “因為有你 (Because You Were There)” for Sun’s “Embrace” album.^{[31] [32]}

Sun recorded a song for Olivia Newton John’s benefit CD produced by Amy Sky, “Songs of Hope and Inspiration: Olivia and Friends”.^[33]

For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sun worked together with music composer David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager to submit a song composition titled “The Light.”^{[34] [35]}

In May 2008, Sun was invited to perform ‘live’ at the Vienna City Hall where Europe's biggest AIDS-charity event—the 16th Life Ball was held. Sun was dressed by NYC designers The Blonds (who also dressed Fergie, Madonna, Shakira, etc).^[36]

[edit] Humanitarian work

Sun holds an M.A. degree in Counseling and worked as a counselor for troubled teens from 1996 to 2001 at City Harvest Community Services^[37] , a social organization which she has personally founded^[28] Having gone through a difficult childhood, Sun has stated that she was motivated to help others out of their similar struggles with depression. Since establishing her career as a pop artist in April 2002, she continues to be involved in raising funds for various charitable organisations.^[28] Her humanitarian team was involved in the Tsunami Disaster Relief Operations (2005), building of schools and medical clinics in Indonesia and China as well as orphanages in Sri Lanka.^[38] In 2002, the Junior Chamber of Singapore awarded Sun with “The Outstanding Young Person Award.” ^[25] Subsequently, Sun represented Singapore in the global TOYP ceremony and was awarded the “Outstanding Young Person of the World Award” in 2003.^{[25] [39]}

Sun has donated money from her royalties to build schools in Chongqing, Guizhou and Henan (China). She also sponsored a computer lab for the school in Liaoning, China. Her most recent project took her to Henan Province where her donation of RMB350,000 (SGD70,000) paid for the rebuilding of a rundown school and its teaching facilities.^[40]

In June 2007, Sun was appointed the Music Ambassador for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Songfest by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).^{[41] [42]}

In August 2007, Sun was named the Charity Ambassador of Love for Asia’s first Special Olympic World Summer Games. At the Special Olympics Charity Gala held on August 11, 2007, Sun auctioned off two personal items to raise RMB600,000 (SGD120,000) for the Special Olympic Games. Together with China’s pop singer Sun Nan, she also performed the Special Olympic official theme song “We Are Together.” ^[43]

In February 2008, Sun sang the inaugural Mandarin rendition of the 100-year old Olympic Hymn at the opening of the “Olympic Philately & Cultural Tour” launched by The Beijing Olympics. Held at the Royal Theatre within the Forbidden City, Sun was accompanied by a choir of overseas Chinese from 16 different nationalities.^[44]

[edit] 2008 Sichuan earthquake

In May 2008, Sun gave 500 tents to aid as temporary shelter for displaced families of the earthquake in Sichuan, China. Along with her personal donation, Sun also gathered some friends to raise RMB650,000 (SGD129,000) to buy stationery and educational supplies for the children.^{[45] [46]}

Sun performed on CCTV’s charity program as part of the “Rebuilding The Homeland With One Heart” project to help the quake victims. Other activities of the project include inviting Sichuan artists to Singapore to hold an art exhibition which will showcase the courage of the quake survivors, as well as setting up an education and music foundation for the orphans and other victims of the earthquake.^{[citation needed]}

Her latest single, “Eternal Blossom” was broadcast over radio stations as a song of encouragement for all the earthquake victims. ^{[47] [48]}

[edit] Other Endeavours

In July 2005, Ho opened a streetwear boutique, SKIN Couture, at The Marina Square (Singapore), which carries apparels and accessories from American labels such as True Religion, Antik Denim, Bejeweled, etc. She opened her second store on October 2006 at The Heeren Shops (Singapore) carrying Japanese labels like Queen Of A Luxury Lover, Double Standard, Chelseagarb, etc. Ho and her SKIN partners acquired exclusive distribution for Ed Hardy in Singapore, and opened its first flagship store in Asia at The Heeren Shops (Singapore) on October 29, 2005.

Currently Ho resides in the USA, and travels often to Taiwan and China.

[edit] Awards

Main article: List of Ho Yeow Sun awards and accolades

[edit] Live Concerts

• “Embrace 2007” Concert

From April to July 2007, Sun performed in 4 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 13,000.

• “Gain 2006” Concert

On July 16, 2006, Ho performed in a one-night concert held at the National Taipei University Stadium to an audience of close to 10,000 people.

• KTU “Beatstock” Concert

On August 21, 2005, Ho opened the second day of the Beatstock Dance Festival, organized by KTU, a top radio station in New York, with a listener-ship of over two million. Ho was the only Asian artist invited to perform at this event which saw over 18,000 people partied over a two-day period.

• “Lonely Travel 2003/2004” Concert

From October 2003 to May 2004, Ho has performed in 80 concerts throughout Asia to a total audience of more than 280,000.

• “Sun With Love 2002” Concert

Ho performed 30 concerts in Asia from April 2002 to December 2002 to a total audience of 118,000. At the two-night “Sun With Love” concert in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, she sang to more than 21,000 fans.

[edit] Television performances and broadcasts

• HONG KONG (August 4, 2007)

Ho's performance at the Hong Kong Metro Music Awards was broadcasted on TVB Jade Station.

• HONG KONG (July 1, 2007)

Ho performed "live" at Hong Kong Chinese Pop Music Media Awards 2007 and broadcasted nationwide.

• SINGAPORE (September 12, 2004)

Ho performed “live” at the President's Star Charity that was broadcast nationwide.

• SINGAPORE (May 1, 2004)

Ho's three-hour “Lonely Travel Concert 2004” was nationally broadcast as part of Channel U's May Day Celebration.

• SINGAPORE (April 11, 2004)

Ho performed “live” at the National Kidney Foundation charity show that was broadcast nationwide.

• SHANGHAI, CHINA (March 27, 2004)

Ho performed “live” at the Shanghai International Fashion Show that was broadcast nationwide.

• SHANGHAI, CHINA (March 10, 2004)

Ho's three-hour “Lonely Travel Concert 2004” was broadcast on Shanghai Eastern TV.

• HUBEI, CHINA (March 2, 2004)

Ho performed in a three-hour solo TV show on HTV.

• BEIJING, CHINA (February 27, 2004)

Ho's made-for-TV special was broadcast nationwide on China's CCTV, the largest TV network in Asia.

• JAKARTA, INDONESIA (December 26, 2003)

Ho's one-hour performance at the Jakarta Tennis Stadium was broadcast on Metro TV nationwide.

• GENTING HIGHLANDS, MALAYSIA (November 15, 2003)

Ho's performance at the Malaysia Hit Award was broadcast nationwide on NTV 7.

• TAIPEI, TAIWAN (October 24, 2003)

Ho's one-hour “Sun With Love II Concert” was broadcast nationwide and internationally on Dong Feng TV.

• SINGAPORE (September 6, 2003)

Ho's performance at the Singapore Hit Awards was broadcast on MediaCorp Channel 8.

• HONG KONG (August 3, 2003)

Ho's performance at the Hong Kong Metro Music Awards was broadcast on TVB Jade Station.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

[edit] External links

• He Yao Sun Webpage
• Sun Ho Webpage